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HiSTOEY OF Virginia, 



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FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS, 



BY 



MAEY TUCKER MAGILL. 




VIRGINIA. 



(SEVENTH EDITION.) 



J. P. BELL & CO., Publishers, 
LYNCHBURG, VA. 

1882. 






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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by 
J. P. BELL & CO., 

In the Clerk's Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



JHf tnuisfer 

RO. t)ept. 






PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. 



The undersigned, publishers, present this book, which 
for the last seven years, under different management, 
has been extensively used in both private and public 
schools of this State, with the hope and assurance that 
it will meet with the large and increased patronage 
which its intrinsic merits deserve. Besides supplying 
an important need not otherwise met, it is, we believe, 
the most attractively written history now in print. 
"VYith some degree of pride we submit it to Virginia 
educators as the only school text-book used in the State 
compiled by a Virginia auifem*-^d published by a Vir- 
ginia publishing-house. 

J. P. BELL & CO. 
Lynchbukg, Va., Sept. 1st, 1881. 



INTEODUOTIOE". 



In the preparation of this volume for the use of 
schools, I have been actuated by an earnest desire to 
place before her youth a faithful record of the past 
history of the old "Mother of States and Statesmen," 
a record so full of honor that her children may well be 
proud of it. I have attempted no dry details, no po- 
litical dissertations, but have adopted the familiar style 
of a "story-teller," drawing from the stores of incident, 
in which the past of Yirginia is so rich, such narrations 
as would be most apt to stamp upon the youthful mind 
the graver facts of history, interspersing such explana- 
tions as were absolutely necessary with a simplicity and 
clearness which Avill I hope, render them easy of com- 
prehension even to the youngest student of these pages. 

In deference to the j)rejudices and tastes of some 
teachers, I have affixed questions to the different chap- 
ters, though my own experience leads me to the con- 
viction that the best mode of teaching history is not 
by questions, which make the lesson a task instead of 

(5) 



VI INTRODUCTION. 



a recreation, established in the midst of dryer and more 
abstruse studies. Lot the class read the lesson and the 
teacher ask full questions upon it : thus a habit of at- 
tentive reading is formed, and the history of a single 
country does not employ an entire session, which is 

often the case. 

In jireparing the book I have freely made use of the 

labors of others, to whom only a general acknowledg- 
ment can be made. 

The volume is earnestly recommended to the young 
student, with the hope that he may strive to imitate 
the many worthy examples held up before him in its 
pages, and that he may remember that the prosperity 
and honor of his State in the future, as in the past, rests 
upon the shoulders of her sons. 



CONTENTS 



•AGIS 

CHAPTER I, ,,,,,...» . 1 

CHAPTER II, 9 

CHAPTER III, ....,,,. 16 

CHAPTER IV, 22 

CHAPTER V, ....... . SO 

CHAPTER VI, ..,.., i . 36 

CHAPTER VII, ...... . . 43 

CHAPTER VIII, ........ 50 

CHAPTER IX, . , 57 

CHAPTER X, 63 

CHAPTER XI, J . 77 

CHAPTER XII 85 

CHAPTER XIII, 91 

CHAPTER XIV, lOJ 

(7) 



Vlil C O N T E X T S . 



CHAPTER XV, . 
CHAPTER XVI, 
CHAPTER XVII, 
CHAPTER XVIII, . 
CHAPTER XIX, . 
CHAPTER XX, 
CHAPTER XXI, . 
CHAPTER XXII, 
CHAPTER XXIII, 
CHAPTER XX iV, . 
CHAPTER XXV, . 
CHAPTER XXVI, . 
CHAPTER XXVII, 
CHAPTER XXVIII, . 
CHAPTER XXIX, 
CHArWiliT XXJL. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



CHAPTEE L 
M92-1585. 



The glory of having discovered America is justly due 
to Columbus. He by his genius conceived the idea of 
undiscovered countries beyond the seas. By his perse- 
verance he succeeded in inducing King Ferdinand, of 
Spain, to fit out ships and place them under his command. 
By these he reached the West India Islands. Still, 
history is full of traditions which induce the belief that 
it had been visited by Europeans at least three hundred 
years before the voyage of Columbus. 

We read of Madoc, a Welsh prince, who disgusted at 
hearing his two brothers disputing which should reign 
king upon the death of their father, fitted out a ship 
and set sail in-isearch of adventures. After a consider- 
able absence he returned, and narrated that sailing west, 
ho had reached a great and fertile country, abound- 
ing in beautiful forests, navigable streams, lofty moun- 
1 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



tains and clear lakes, and he convinced his people how 
worse than foolish it was for them to bo quarrelling 
with and murdering one another for the possession of 
barren hills, when this fruitful country lay across the 
waters, within their reach and without inhabitants ; ho 
was eagerly listened to, and fitting out ships, induced 
numbers of his countrymen to accompany him in this 
his second voyage. They were never more heard of; 
but it is not impossible that they reached America, 
founded their colony, and lost hero all trace of civiliza- 
tion. Several other traditions lead to the belief that 
America was visited by adventurers of other nations ; 
but if any trace of them remained, it was only found by 
the first discoverers of America in the savasce tribes 
who roamed through her forests and paddled their 
canoes upon her streams. Some resemblance, fancied or 
real, in this wild people to the inhabitants of India, 
caused them to be called " Indians." 

The success of Christopher Columbus in his western 
voyage, fired the ambition of all the nations of Europe. 
Henry YII., King of England, was one of the first of 
European sovereigns to follow in the track of the 
great discoverer; ho granted letters patent to John 
Cabot and his three sons " to set sail, discover countries, 
and take possession," for the Crown of England. They 
discovered the coast of Labrador, and thus, although 
Columbus opened the path to the New World, he only 
discovered the West India Islands; and this English 
expedition had taken possession of the mainland one 
year before the great pioneer, in his third voyage across 
the ocean, placed his foot upon it. (1498) 

Nearly one hundred years were suffered to pass away 
before the English took advantage of their new posses- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



Bions. In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh, an accomplished 
nobleman, high in the favor of Elizabeth, Queen of 
England, after obtaining permission from her, fitted out 
two ships, which he placed under the command of 
Captains Amadas and Barlow. These, following the 
course of Columbus, reached the West India Islands, 




THE ENGL.ISH BECEIVINQ INDIANS. 

where they remained for a few days, when they re- 
embarked and proceeded on their journey. Directing 
their course northward, they were soon attracted by tho 
delicious perfume of fruits and flowers which a kindly 
breeze wafted to them from the fragrant shore. 

They landed upon the coast of North Carolina not 
far from Cape Ilatteras, where they took possession in 
the name of her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



Charmed with the iSrst appearance of the country, with 
its tall trees, green fields, and abundant grape-vines, 
they clambered to the top of the high cedars, in order 
to obtain a more extended view ; and, as they gazed 
with rapture over the exquisite landscape spread before 
them, thought that the world itself could scarce furnish 
a greater variety and abundance. 

Discharging their muskets to awaken the echoes, 
they were startled by the wild cries of frightened birds 
who darkened the air with their numbers, and at the 
same time herds of deer bounded from the woods. 
Several days elapsed before they discovered any sign 
of inhabitants ; this magnificent country seemed to be 
given up to the birds of the air and the beasts of the 
forest. This was not true, however, as on the third 
day a small canoe put out from the neighboring shore, 
in which were three men dressed in the skins of wild 
animals. They apj^roached and boarded the ship 
without any sign of fear, and one of them, who 
seemed to be the leader, acted as spokesman for the 
rest ; but here a serious difficulty arose, for the speech, 
which was full of impressive gestures, and doubtless of 
eloquent language, was yet in a tongue of which not 
one word could be understood. The English, in this 
emergency, adopted a mode of communication which 
could not be misunderstood, and which at the same time 
served to convey to the natives a sense of their friendly 
intentions towards them: they presented them with 
shirts and hats, wine and meat, and after a visit of 
some length the strange guests departed as they had 
come, but soon returned with the boat loaded with fish 
and game, which they presented to the Englishmen. 

The next day came divers boats with forty or fifty 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



men, and among them " Granganameo," the brother of 
" Winginia," king of this great country, which they called 
" Wingandacoa." Leaving the boats at some distance, 
they came towards the Englishmen, and spreading a 
mat, " Grranganameo " sat down, while his men stood 
around him. He showed no signs of fear, but seemed 
by his gestures to wish to tell them how friendly was 
his disposition towards them. The Englishmen pre- 
sented him with many toys, such as beads and pieces 
of tin, which he received with delight. His men seemed 
to regard him with great respect, none of them speaking 
a word, except four who seemed of higher rank than 
the rest, and to whom alone he gave presents of the 
treasures which were bestowed upon him; these they 
received humbly, making signs that all things belonged 
to him. They made the Englishmen to understand that 
their great King " Winginia " had been wounded in a 
conflict with his mortal enemy, and was lying at his 
chief town, six days' journey from that place. 

Granganameo paid them many visits after this, bring- 
ing presents of deer-skins and othej* things ; and after 
a few days ho brought his wife and children. The 
former was of small stature, very pretty and bashful. 
She was dressed in a long coat of leather, with a band 
of white coral about her forehead, and strings of pearls 
as large as peas hung from her ears and reached nearly 
to her waist ; she wore her long black hair hanging 
down on both sides, and the men wore theirs long on 
one side and shaven close on the other. 

The English remained some time in this place, trading 
with the natives, and obtaining from them, in return 
for the useless toys with which they j)resented them, 
many articles of value, such as pearls, dyes, and gamo 



6 HISTORY OF VIRGINFA. 



of various kinds. They learned too a great deal about 
the soil of the country, which they found to be more 
prolific than any they had ever known, producing three 
crops of corn in one year. 

One day Captain Barlow and seven of his men paid 
a visit to Granganameo, their new friend, who had his 
home on Eoanoke Island. As they approached the 
place, they saw before them a little village of nine or 
ten Indian houses, built of cedar, and fortified, after their 
manner, by sharp stakes or palisades driven into the 
ground. Seeing her visitors approaching, the wife of 
Granganameo, like a true hospitable Yirginia matron, 
ran down to the shore, and received them Avith every 
sign of joy. She told them that her husband was away, 
and commanding her people to draw the boats to shore, 
made them carry them on their backs to the houses, 
where she entertained them with great honor, setting 
m.eat and fruit before them, having their clothes washed, 
and in her simple natural way doing all she could to 
testify her delight at seeing them. In one of the houses 
she showed them her idol, about which she told won- 
derful things. Some of her men coming in with their 
bows and arrows, the Englishmen took their arms in 
their hands, fearing treachery, which their hostess per- 
ceivino", she caused the bows and arrows to be broken 
in pieces, and the owners of them beaten out of the 
house. The Englishmen returned to their encampment 
next day, much pleased with their visit, and during the 
whole of their stay in " AYingandacoa " continued on 
the most friendly terms with their Indian neighbors ; 
and upon their return to England gave such glowing 
accounts of the country that Queen Elizabeth called it 
Yirginia, in honor of herself, the virgin Queen of 
England. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



The same year Sir Kichard Grenville with a party of 
men made a settlement on Roanoke Island, upon which 
Granganameo lived. They made several expeditions 
into the country, found new tribes of Indians, and met 
with many curious adventures. At one time they were 
nearly starved to death, but were saved by boiling two 
mastiff dogs with sassafras leaves, which they ate with 
great appetite. 

They ascertained some interesting facts about the 
religion of the savages. They believed that there were 
a great many gods, but one greater than all the rest, 
who had existed from eternity, and who made all things. 
They worshipped the sun, moon, and stars as gods. 
They believed that the soul would live for ever in hap- 
piness or misery. The English tried to teach them 
about the true God and the Bible. The simple crea- 
tures listened to them with interest, and taking the 
Holy Bible in their hands, kissed it reverently, held it to 
their breasts and stroked their bodies over with it. 
Once King Winginia being very sick, refused help from 
his own friends, and sent for the English to come and 
pray for him, that if he died he might live with their 
God in Heaven. Soon after this a circumstance occurred 
which increased their fear and reverence for the God of 
the English. Great sickness prevailed in many of their 
settlements, the nature of which we are not told ; but it 
so happened that the disease was most fatal in those 
places which were inclined to be unfriendly to the 
English, from which the simple creatures inferred that 
the God of the English was espousing their cause, and 
that they were actually destroying their enemies by 
their prayers to this great Being ; and thus all the sur- 
rounding tribes hastened to claim the friendshi]) of this 
powerful people of an all-powerful God. 



8 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

But this desirable state of feeling was not always to 
continue between the two nations. In one of their 
expeditions an Indian stole a silver cup from the 
English, which offence was punished by the burning of 
one of the Indian towns ; and this broke up the friend- 
ship between the two parties, and was the cause of the 
final destruction of the colony, which happened thus : 

Sir Eichard Grenville having returned to England for 
supplies, the colony fell into confusion. Discouraged by 
their difficulties, and fearing that they had been deserted 
by their commander, they determined to return home. 
This they did with the exception of fifty of their number, 
who decided to wait for Sir Eichard Grenville, who, 
arriving soon after, found no trace of these men ; they 
had been destroyed by the Indians, whose enmity they 
had excited. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. What period is embraced in Ibis chapter? 

2. To whom is tlio glory due of having discovered America 7 

3. Give tiie tradition of Madoc? 

4. Otlier traditions of voyagers to America? 

6. Wliat effect did tlie success of Columbus have upon other 

nations of Europe ? 
6. What nation first took possession of the continent? 
7- Give some account of the expedition of 15J5. 

8. Where did they land? 

9. Give some account of what they saw when they landed, 
lo. Tell of the first interview with the natives. 

Jl. The second visit of Granganameo. 

12. His third visit Avith his wife. 

1:5. How did the English employ themselves? 

14. Relate the story of Captain Barlow's visit to Roanoke Island. 

15. Why was t!ie country named Virginia ? 

16. Who commanded the second party to Virginia, and where 

did they settle? 

17. Give an account of the expedition into the country. 
1'4. Give some account of the religion of the s;avagos. 

19. How did they receive the teachings of th3 English? 

20. Wliat circumstance increased their reverence for the God 

of the English ? 

21. What circumstance broke up the friendly feeling between 

the two parties? 

22. What occurred after Sir Richard Grenville's return to England? 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



CHAPTEE II. 
1606. 

I have now given you an account of the earliest set- 
tlements in that part of America which Queen Eliza- 
beth named " Yirginia," and which extended from tho 
southern part of North Carolina to Canada in length, 
and from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans in breadth. 
This was a great country, and the reason you often 
hear Yirginia spoken of as the "Mother of States," is 
because she gave from herself the territory out of 
which were formed most of the States of the Union. 
The only distinction in those early days was, that all 
the country to the north of Chesapeake Bay was called 
"North Yirginia," and that to the south was called 
" South Yirginia." The first settlements carved out of 
North Yirginia were the New England States, which 
were settled by the Puritans. The next slice taken out 
was New York, which was seized by the Dutch, the first 
discoverers ; but it was afterwards given to the Duke 
of York, after whom it was named. Next came the divi- 
sions of New Jersey and Delaware, and the last we shall 
mention was Pennsylvania, which was settled by the 
Quakers under their wise leader William Penn, in whoso 
honor the State was named. Although it would bo 
very interesting to bo able to trace out the history of 
the whole of this country, yet the space allowed us will 
not perm.it it, and we must confine ourselves to that por- 
tion which through all these changes still retained the 
name of "Yirginia," and which was colonized by Cap- 
tain John Smith and his companions in the year 1606. 
1* 



10 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Captain Smith, ono of the bravest men that ever 
lived, has written a book in which he gives an account 
of his wonderful adventures. An Englishman by birth, 
he had when quite young a great desire to go to sea, 
and even sold his satchel, books, and all ho had, intend- 
ing secretly to carry out his design, but was prevented 
by his father's death. He afterwards travelled through 
most of the countries of Europe. Once while at sea, 
like a second Jonah, he was thrown overboard by the 
superstitious sailors, who imagined that he brought ill- 
luck to their vessel ; he managed to reach a desert 
island, whence he was rescued by a i^assing ship. He 
afterwards fought against the Turks, and with his own 
hand killed three of their officers ; he was taken pris- 
oner by them and sold as a slave ; a Bashaw bought 
him and sent him as a present to his mistress, who fell 
in love with him and treated him very kindly, but 
Smith only thought how he could make his escape and 
return to his own country. The Bashaw, who had com- 
mand over the prisoners, was very cruel to them, and 
one day, when Smith was threshing wheat, this man 
coming to him, reviled and struck him, upon which 
Smith turned and beat out the brains of his persecutor 
with an instrument which he had in his hand, then 
throwing the body into the house, he locked the door, 
filled his sack with corn, and mounting the Bashaw's 
horse, rode away, taking the direction towards Eussia, 
thus making his escape. After many more adventures 
he returned to his own country, where he was made a 
knight by the King, who also bestowed many other 
honors upon him ; but his restless spirit could not be 
content with a quiet life, and he determined to seek 
new adventures in the great country which had been 



f HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. lil 

I J 

discovered, and about which the whole world seemed to 
have gone mad. Certain merchants and rich men of 
London had permission from the King to settle a colony 
in the country called "Virginia," and for this purpose ob- 
tained, for fifty miles along the sea-coast, a grant of land, 
which was to belong to them and their children. Tho 
Company to whom this permission was given was called 
the " London Company," and another party of men 
called the " Plymouth Company " had a similar privi- 
lege granted them. Tho '^ London Company " fitted out 
three small ships, and in them sent Captain John Smith, 
Bartholomew Gos)i^old, Edward Maria Wingfield, and 
many others, to find out a suitable place for their settle- 
ment, and to take possession in the name of their king* 
The conduct of the ships was trusted to Captain New- 
port, and the Eev. Mr. Hunt went as the Chaplain of 
the Company. They set sail from England about the 
middle of December, but were detained by contrary 
winds, within sight of the shore, for six weeks, in which 
time Captain Smith found he had rather an unruly 
crowd to deal with; each man imagined he could 
manage better than his fellow, and they quarrelled with 
Captain Newport because they did not get on faster, 
with Captain Smith for ever having started the expedi- 
tion, and with poor Preacher Hunt for not praying hard 
enough against the winds, which were the cause of their 
detention. At length, however. Providence favored 
them, and they reached the " AYest India Islands," 
where they remained for a few days, soothing their 
rufHed tempers and refreshing themselves after their 
tedious voyage with the delicious fruits and other j^ro- 
ductions of these charming islands. Eut they were too 
anxious to reach the end of their journey to be willing 



12 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

to stay even in so delightful a j^lace very long, so, with 
renewed spirit,^, they embarked, bending their course 
northward towards the coast of North Carolina, where 
former attempts to colonize had been made. But 
again encountering storms, they found themselves 
on the trackless ocean, amid dangers they knew not 
how great, and again the murmurs arose loud and deej). 
Captain Newport, wearied with the difficulties, deter- 
mined to turn the ships around and return to England ; 
but God willed it otherwise. A violent storm drove 
them in towards the shore, and they found them- 
selves at the wide entrance of a great bay, with a capo 
at each extremity, which they named " Cape Henry " 
and " Cape Charles," after the two sons of their sov- 
ereign. Pursuing their course inward, they touched 
upon another point of land, at the mouth of what seemed 
to be a large river leading up into the country, and 
giving them the good hope that their wanderings were 
ended and that here they would find the desired haven. 
So they named the land "Point Comfort," and proceeded 
on their way. About twenty miles further on, the 
country spread out before them in all its grandeur and 
richness, and the most despondent among them exulted 
at the prospect. The place where they next anchored 
was named " Point Hope," and the river Avas called 
" James," in honor of their king. Here they encoun- 
tered some Indians, who seemed kindly disposed to them, 
told them that the name of the river which they had 
called " James " was " Powhatan," that the greatest 
tribe in those parts v/ere the " Pow^hatans," and the 
chief of this tribe was very powerful, had his home 
about one hundred and fifty miles above, on the same 
river, and that he too was called "Powhatan." 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



13 



Pursuing their course up the river, the English discov- 
ered a beautiful peninsula covered with tall trees, growing 
out of the luxuriant green sod ; here they determined to 
land, and after much consultation and disputing, here 
they planted their colony, calling the town '' James," as 
they had done the river, in honor of their king. 




JAMESTOWN. 



They now proceeded to elect a President and Council 
to govern them, and "Edward Maria Wingfield " was 
chosen. Captain Smith having fallen under the dis- 
pleasure of the company, was not allowed to take any 
part in its government, and so in this time of difficulty 
and danger they lost the advice of the wisest man 
among them. 

They set to work at once to build a fort as a pro- 
tection against the savages. It was a busy scene. 



14 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Some were cutting down trees, others digging holes in 
the ground, while the sound of the hammer and axe 
awakened echoes and startled the inhabitants of these 
old forests with a new experience. Newport, Smith, 
and about twenty others, were sent to discover the head 
of the river. Passing many small habitations, in six 
days they arrived at the dwelling of the great chief 
Powhatan, which consisted of twelve houses, pleasantly 
situated upon a hill; before it were three beautiful 
islands, and around it the waving fields of corn. The 
city of Pichmond now stands just above the foraier 
dwelling of this Indian chief, and the place is still 
pointed out where his wigwam stood. Smith found that 
his boat could not proceed further up the river, because 
of the falls, and he and his party were obliged to return 
to "Jamestown," where they found everything in con- 
fusion. The colony had been attacked by the Indians, 
one boy killed and seventeen men wounded. They had 
all been at work without their arms when the attack 
Was made, and the destruction would have been com- 
plete had it not been for the accidental discharge of a 
cross-bar shot from one of the ships, which broke the 
bough of a tree that fell in the midst of the savages, 
and caused them to retire in haste. 

The English at once proceeded to fortify themselves 
as strongly as they could, so as to prevent further sur- 
prises. The Indians, however, were fully on the alert; 
and in spite of their care, the English were constantly 
annoyed by their enmity. All this time Captain Smith 
was in disgrace with the colony. Many among them, 
envious of his reputation, pretended to think that ho 
wished to murder the President and the Council and 
make himself a king, and these reports gaining ground, 



HISTORY OP VIRGINIA. 15 

President Wingfield seized him and committed him as 
a prisoner, and accused him to the "London Company" 
who had sent him to Virginia. But Smith, strong in his 
innocence, brought his accusers to shame, and the cause 
being tried, Wingfield was compelled not only to release 
him, but to pay him two hundred pounds as a recom- 
pense for what he had made him suffer. Smith received 
the money, but gave it to the general fund for the use 
of the colony. 

This was but the beginning of the trials Smith had to 
encounter, but he bore everything with a patience and 
dignity which overcame the spite of his enemies. 
Preacher Hunt also did what he could to establish peace, 
so a general reconciliation took place. Smith was ad- 
mitted to the " Council," all parties received the Com- 
munion, and the very next day the savages voluntarily 
desired peace, and Captain Newport returned to England, 
bearing encouraging reports of the prosperity of the 
new settlement in Yirginia. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. In what year did these events take place? 

2. What was the original extent of Virginia? 

S. Why is Virginia called the " Mother of States'"? 

4. How were North and South Virginia divided? 

5. What divisions were afterwards made? 

6. With what particular portion of tliis country has our history 

to do? 

7. Give llie story of Captain Smith's early life. 

8. How did lio make his escape from the Turlcs? 

O. What privileges were granted to the London and Plymouth 
Companies? 

10. Who did Iho London Company send to Virginia? 

11. Give an account of the voyage until they landed at the "West 

Indies. 

12. Give an account of the rest of the voyage, 

13. What circumstance prevented the return of Newport to 

England? 

14. What names did they bestow upon the four first points of 

land they reached? 



16 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



15. Whnt name did they prive the river, and what account did 

the Indians give of the country? 

16. "Where did they land, and what name did they give to their 

first settlement? 

17. What were the first acts of the new colony ? 

18. Give an account of .Smith's expedition up the river. 

19. In what condition did they find the colony upon their return? 

20. How was Captain Smith treated by the colony? " 

21. How did he behave? 

2a, Uow did the difficulties end? 



CHAPTEE III. 
IGOG. 



From tlie peaceful ending of the last chapter you 
might suppose that the troubles of our colony were at 
an end, but this was far from being the case. For not 
only had they to encounter the natural difficulties of a 
new settlement in the midst of treacherous enemies, but 
their jealousy of Smith led them to select as their Presi- 
dent one opposed to him in every particular, and it was 
not long before they saw their mistake. "Wingfield 
thinking only of gain, lost no opportunity of stealing 
from the public stores to enrich himself, and when he 
had by this conduct made himself hated by all, tried to 
seize one of the ships and make his escape accompanied 
by one of his confederates; but his design was dis- 
covered and prevented. Thus it happened that most 
of the responsibility of public affairs fell upon Captain 
Smith, who by his own example and encouraging words 
set them to work, some mowing, some planting corn, 
some building houses, he himself always taking the 
largest share of the work, and providing all the rest 
with comfortable dwellings before he built his own. 
In his intercourse with the savages he also showed hia 



niSTOKY OF YIEGTNIA. 



ir 



great wisdom, making himself acquainted with their 
dispositions, their manners, their customs, always secur- 
ing their friendship if possible, but if this failed, com- 
pelling them to fear and respect him by his superiority 
over them. Once when the colony was greatly reduced 
by sickness, their provisions spent, and starvation star^ 
ing them in the face. Smith, taking seven men with him, 
set out to seek help from one of the neighboring tribes. 






^4^ =^ I \ 




CAPT. SMITH DEMANDING HELP FROM THE INDIANS. 

lie proceeded down the river about twenty miles until 
he arrived at one of their towns, and told the Indians 
by signs when they could not understand his words, of 
his great need; he was met by derision and contempt. 
The Indians now saw this much-feared enemy in their 
power, and exulted in the thought that the colony at 
Jamestown could no longer trouble them; and in ridi- 
cule they offered him a handful of corn and a piece of 
bread in exchange for the muskets of his men, and even 



18 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

demanded their clothing. Smith, finding gentle meas- 
ures of no avail, resolved to compel them to give him 
what help he needed; so running his boat into the shore, 
he and his men fired into the crowd, whereat the Indians 
fled to the woods. The English made haste to take ad- 
vantage of the situation, and going from wigwam to 
wigwam, they saw heaps of corn and other food, which 
Smith could scarcely restrain his hungry men from 
taking until he convinced them that the danger was 
not over, and that their first duty was to prepare for the 
return of the savages. The wisdom of their leader was 
revealed as the hideous war-whoop sounded, and they 
saw about seventy Indians approaching from the woods, 
dancing and singing, some painted black, some red, and 
some parti-colored. Their god " Okee," who was hung 
with chains and pieces of copper, was before them. 
"Well armed with bows, arrows, clubs, and shields, they 
charged down upon the English with great shouting and 
cries, but Smith and his men were fully prepared for 
them, and fired their well-loaded muskets into the midst 
of them. Down fell their Okee, and numbers of the 
Indians also lay sprawling on the ground; the rest of 
them fled to the woods, and soon one of their chiefs ap- 
proached to beg for peace and to redeem their "Okee." 
Smith told them that if six of their number would come 
unarmed and help him to load his boats with such pro- 
visions as he needed, that he would not only bo their 
friend, but would restore their " Okee," and give them 
beads, copper, and hatchet^ besides. They were very 
well content with this, and brought Smith venison, 
turkeys, bread, and whatever else they had, singing and 
dancing, and making signs of friendship until they 
departed. The party returned to Jamestown in fine 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 19 

spirits at their Buccess, and at sight of the abundant 
supplies of provisions with which they were laden, the 
spirits of the colonists revived. Captain Smith made 
many other expeditions to procure food for the following 
winter, but what he provided with so much care the 
rest recklessly wasted. 

I will now try to give you some idea of the manners, 
customs, and religion of the North American Indianif 
when the country was first settled by the English. 

The inhabitants were divided into tribes, which wer« 
generally named from the rivers upon which they dwelt. 
There were the Powhatans, the Chickahominies, the 
Potomacs, the Susquehanocks, and the Pamunkeys. 
The men were generally tall, straight, and well-formed, 
with skins browned more from exposure than nature, 
as the children were born white. They had straight 
black hair, which was worn long. The women filled the 
office of barbers, and with two shells grated the hair 
off. They were very strong and active, able to endure 
great exposure, sleeping by a fire in the open air in the 
most severe weather. Their dress was made of the 
skins of wild beasts, with the hair on for winter, and 
without it for summer. Some wore long mantles 
embroidered with beads, and others had mantles of 
turkey feathers, which were very beautiful. The women 
had their limbs tattooed with pictures of beasts and 
serpents. But the most curious fashion they had was in 
the matter of ear-ornaments. Both sexes bad as many 
as three holes bored in their ears, in which they hung 
chains, copper, and other ornaments ; and, what was 
still more surprising, it was no uncommon thing for 
them to use small snakes and even rats as ear-jewels. 
Imagine a great Indian with a green and yellow snake 



20 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

crawling and flapping about his neck, and often with 
dreadful familiarity kissing his lips, or a dead rat tied 
through the ear by the tail! Fot head-dresses they 
wore the wings of birds, and some had even a whole 
hawk or other large bird stuffed, with its wings out- 
spread, perched upon the top of the head ; others wore 
the hand of an enemy, dried. They painted themselves 
every variety of color, and he was considered most 
handsome who was most hideous to behold. 

Their houses were built of branches of trees tied 
together, somewhat like a modern arbor, and covered 
with mats or bark. The women displayed great fond- 
ness for their children; and to make them hardy and 
robust, as soon as they were born they began to wash 
them in the cold water of the rivers and springs, even 
in the most severe winter weather. They also used 
paint and ointments to tan their skins, so that in a year 
or two no weather could hurt them. The men spent 
their time in fishing, hunting and fighting, and such 
manly exercises ; but scorned work, which fell to the 
share of the women, who planted the crops, prepared 
the food, made mats, baskets, and cooking utensils. 
Their boats were made of the long trunks of trees, 
hollowed out by burning until they assumed the shape 
of troughs. They were long enough, sometimes, to hold 
thirty or forty men. 

I must tell you a curious device they used in deer 
hunting. This animal, you know, is so timid that it 
is very hard to get near enough to him for a successful 
shot, so the Indians used to dress themselves in the skin 
of the animal, and thus disguised go into the midst of 
the herd. Sometimes Avhen he would be hunting out a 
good fat buck, worthy of his arrow, he would see the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 21 



deer looking curiously towards him, as if they half sus- 
pected him of being a cheat, upon which he would lick 
himself, and by his cunning imitate the motions of the 
animal so completely as to deceive them entirely, and 
thus they would shoot many of them. 

No people have ever yet been discovered without a 
religion. Some idea of one Supreme Being has de- 
scended from our father Adam through all the nations 
of the earth. The North American Indians worshipped 
the Devil, whom they called " Okee," and was repre- 
sented by a hideous image dressed up in beads and cop- 
per, after a most fantastical fashion. Their priests in 
their turn arrayed themselves as much as possible after 
the same pattern. I will tell you of their head-dresses. 
They collected a quantity of snake, weasel, and rat skins, 
stuffed them into their natural shapes with moss, and 
they tied their tails together like a great tassel ; this was 
put upon the crown of the head with the skins dangling 
about the face, the whole was finished by a great crown 
of feathers, sticking out of the place where the tails 
were fastened. Their religious exercises were chanted, 
the priests leading and the rest following after. 

They had great fear and admiration for their king; 
his commands were instantly obeyed, and when ho 
frowned they trembled with apprehension ; and no won- 
der, for he was very cruel in punishing such as offended 
him. He would have a man tied hand and foot, and 
thrown upon burning coals and broiled to death. 
He would have their heads laid upon stones, whilst his 
executioners beat out the brains with clubs. And 
when a notorious enemy or criminal was taken, ho was 
tied to a tree, and the executioner with mussel shells 
cut off his joints, one after the other, threw them into a 



22 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

great fire, then sliced the flesh from the bones of his 
head and face; if life still remained in the quivering 
carcass, the body was ripped up, and then with the tree 
to which it was tied was burned to ashes. 

I could tell you many more things of great interest 
which Captain Smith found out about this strange 
people, but it would make my history too long, and so 
much remains of more importance to relate. 



Questions for Examination. 

1. In what year did the events recorded in this chapter take 

place? 

2. Did peace snd good- will long continue in the colony? 

3. To what did Ihey owe fresh troubles? 

4. How did Smith act when the responsibility of affairs fell upon 

him? 

5. Give an account of his expedition in search of food. 

6. How were the crew received on their return to Jamestown? 

7. How were tlie Indians divided and named? 

8. iJescribe their appearance and manners, 

9. Their peculiarities of dress &c. 

10. How did the women treat their children? 

11. Tell the curious Indian device in deer-hunting, 

12. Give an account of their religion. 

13. How (lid their kings rule them ? 



CHAPTEE IT. 
1607. 



Much of Captain Smith's time was spent in making 
expeditions to secure provisions for the colonv and to 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 23 

become better acquainted with this new country, at the 
open door of which they seemed to stand; but it was 
unfortunate for the welfare of the colony that there was 
no one at Jamestown w^ho could control the people in 
his absence. The wretched President Wingfield and 
his accomplice Kendall always took advantage of the 
confusion caused by his absence to do all the mischief 
they could, striving to regain their former position. 
Once Smith unexpectedly returning, found that they 
had persuaded the sailors to load the only vessel which 
remained to the colony, with everything of value they 
could lay their hands on, with the intention of returning 
to England with such as would join them, leaving the 
rest of the colony to starvation and the mercy of the 
savages. Captain Smith succeeded in preventing this, 
though he had to resort to arms before it could be done, 
and in the fight Kendall was killed. The winter now 
approaching, the rivers were covered with swans, geese, 
ducks and cranes. Fish, oysters, crabs, and clams wer< 
very plentiful; the forests furnished them with the fa' 
flesh of wild animals; and with good bread and abun- 
dant vegetables, consequently a more contented state of 
feeling took possession of the colonists. Some cause for 
dissatisfaction however they must have, so they began 
to quarrel again with Captain Smith. 

So little did they know of the extent of this great 
country, that they imagined that by following the 
course of the Chickahominy river they would reach 
the Pacific Ocean. If you will look at the map of the 
United States you will understand how great was 
their mistake, and what thousands of miles over hiirh 
mountains, great rivers, and trackless forests they 
would have to traverse before this goal could be 



24 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

reached. Captain Smith shared this opinion, and had 
made many expeditions for the purpose of discovering 
the source of the Chickahominy, but owing to the great 
difficulty of navigation he had failed; and now the 
public voice grew loud against him because of his 
failure, and, fairly driven away from Jamestown by 
the clamor, he started in his little boat, with some 
Englishmen and Indians for his companions, determined 
not to return until he had succeeded in his undertaking. 
With much labor, by cutting down trees and clearing 
the channel, he advanced until his boat could go no 
further, and leaving it in an open bay, out of reach 
of the Indian arrows, he ordered the men not to go on 
shore, and taking with him two Englishmen and two 
Indians, pursued his course up the river in a canoe. 
As soon as he left them, the men in the boat disobeying 
his orders, rowed to shore, where they were surprised by 
the Indians, and it was with difficulty that any of the 
party made their escape. One of the number, George 
Casscn, was captured, and killed with the greatest 
cruelty. Learning from him where Smith had gone, 
they followed, and soon came upon the canoe Avith the 
two Englishmen sleeping beside it; Smith and the 
Indians having gone into the woods to get food. After 
killing the men, they pursued Smith, who soon found 
himself surrounded by two hundred savages thirsting 
for his blood. In this dreadful situation his jDresence 
of mind did not forsake him. Taking one of his Indian 
guides, he tied him in front of himself with his garters, 
as a i:)rotection, and shot over his shoulder at the 
savages, killing several of them ; he himself was 
wounded in the thigh. His hope was, by moving back- 
ward, to reach the boat, and so make his escape ; but 



IIISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



25 



having his eyes fixed upon the enemy, he came Tipon 
marshy ground, into Avhicli he sank up to his arm-pits, 
and almost expired with cold. Still the Indians were 
afraid to come near him until he thrcAV away his arms ; 
then the}^ drew him out, and led him to the fire where 
his two companions were lying dead. Here they chafed 
his benumbed limbs. He asked to be taken to their 




CAPTAIN SMITH TAKEN PRISONEJl. 

captain, when they led him to Opcchankanough, king 
of " Pamaunkee." Captain Smith knew that nothing 
but his wit now could save his life, so drawing from his 
pocket an ivory compass, such as is used on shij^s, ho 
presented it to the king. The curious savages gathered 
around, and looked with wonder upon the needle vibra- 
ting before them, but which they could not touch on 
account of the glass which came between. Seeing them 



2G HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

interested, his hopes revived, and partly by langnago 
and partly by signs, he told them of the roundness 
of tho earth and of the variety of nations which 
inhabit it. He explained to them in simple language 
the course of the heavenly bodies, until they were filled 
with awe and admiration. What a teacher and what a 
echool in this vast wilderness of the new world I 

!N otwithstanding his eloquence and its effects, an hour 
afterwards Smith was tied to a tree, surrounded by 
Indians with their arrows pointed at his heart. He 
gave up all for lost, and committing his soul to God, 
prepared to meet death w4th unflinching courage • 
but at this crisis Opechankanough held up the com- 
pabs in his hand, and the Indians laid down th/iir bows 
and arrows, untied him from the tree, and forming a 
procession, placed him in the midst, and so led him away. 
Tno order of their procession was thus — three men 
held him fast by each arm, and on each side were six in 
file, with their arrows pointed towards him. When 
they arrived at their town, which consisted of thirty or 
forty houses built of mats, women and children camo 
out to stare at the white man, whereupon the Indians 
commenced their war-dance, yelling and shrieking with 
hideous triumph. At length they led Smith to a long 
house, where thirty tall Indians guarded him, and after 
a while they brought him bread arA venison, as much 
as would have served for twenty men. At midnight 
they brought him meat again, and again the next morn- 
ing, until, remembering the stories he had read about 
cannibals, he concluded that they were only fattening 
him to cat him. This idea did not much increase his 
appetite. After some days' captivity he was brought 
before the king, where he was told that they were about 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 27 

to destroy Jamestown, and promised him his life, liberty 
and lands if he would give them his assistance. In 
return he excited their fears by telling them of the 
dangers they would encounter from the great guns 
which belched out fire and smoke, and he offered to 
prove to them that what he said was true if they would 
send some of their men to Jamestown to take a mere 
piece of paper for him. They agreed, and he, tearing a 
leaf from a blank book he had with him, wrote upon it 
minute directions to the colonists what they should do 
to frighten the messengers, and also a list of articles they 
should send to him by them. He then told them, with 
all the manner of a prophet, exactly what would occur 
during their visit, and giving them the mysterious paper, 
they departed. Of course everything happened as he 
said, and they returning, told all these things to their 
wondering people, declaring that either he was a great 
prophet or the paper could speak. 

They then led him with great ceremonies through all 
the Indian tribes living upon the rivers in that part of 
the country, to the king's habitation at Werowocomoco, 
on York river, where they called their conjurors and 
priests together to see what was the will of their 
"Okee" concerning him. They made a great fire in a 
long house, with a mat spread on each side of it, on one 
of which they made him sit down. Presently in there 
came skipping a great fellow painted black, with a tassel 
of snakes and weasel skins, and over it all a crown of 
feathers upon his head. lie began to make a speech in 
a hideous voice with passionate gestures. Kext he 
walked around the fire and sprinkled a circle of meal. 
Then in came three more of these monsters dancing 
and shouting, their eyes painted white ; next thrco moro 



28 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



with their eyes painted red. After dancing around hinx 
for some time, and shouting until he was almost mad- 
dened, they then led him back to his prison. Three days 
they kept up these ceremonies, after which they brought 



1^^ 

I 







CAPT. SMITH SAVED BY POCAHONTAS. 

him before their great king Powhatan. Smith found 
him seated before a fire, upon a scat like a bedstead ; 
he Avas covered with a rich robe of skins, and on each 
side of him was a young girl about sixteen years of age. 
Along the sides of the house were rows of men, and 
behind them as many women, all with their heads and 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 29 

shoulders painted red, decked with feathers, and chains 
of white beads about their necks. When they saw him, 
the king and all the company gave a great shout ; then 
the queen of "Appamatox" brought him water to wash 
his hands, and another queen brought a large bunch of 
feathers instead of a towel for him to dry them. Then 
they made a great feast for him, and after that held a 
long consultation about him. When this was over, two 
great stones were brought and placed before the king, 
and as many as could seized him, dragged him to them 
and laid his head upon the stones. Again did he think 
his last hour had come, and closed his eyes to shut out 
the sight of the dreadful clubs that were raised above 
his head ready to beat out his brains ; but a shriek 
aroused him, and opening his eyes, he saw the beautiful 
Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of king Powhatan 
pleading with her father for his life, while the tears 
rolled down her cheeks. Finding that her father would 
not relent, she flew to Smith, laid her head upon his, and 
declared that she would give her life to save him. This 
conquered the stern old king, and he released the pris- 
oner. Two days afterwards he allowed him to go back 
to Jamestown, upon condition that he would send him 
two great guns and a grindstone. So once more Smith's 
life was miraculously saved. 

On his return he was received with great joy by a 
part of the colony. As Wingficld and some others were 
again making preparations to run away with the vessel 
to England, Smith, at the hazard of his life, jDrevented 
this, and in return Wingficld and his confederates tried 
to bring him to trial for the death of the two English- 
men who were slain by the Indians ; but in this also they 
failed, and Smith at last succeeded in having them 



3 ) HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

arrested and sent prisoners to England. Once more 
was ouiet restored to the colony. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. "What Is the date of the events detailed in this chapter? 

2. How did ^Slnith spend his time, and what difficulties did lie 

encounter? 

3. What curious mistake did the Engllsli malie about the extent 

of Virginin? 

4. T-^ll of .Smith's expedition up the Chiclcahominy. 

5. How were liis men captured? 

6. Give j»n account of Smith's dreadful situation? 

7. How did he «ct so as to gain the attention of the savages? 
S. What liappened next? 

9. How was his life saved? 

10. Tell the manner in which they conducted the prisoner. 

11. What of his trial? 

12. Give an account of the preparations for his execution, 

13. Who saved his life, and how? 

14. How was he receivtd on his return to Jamestown? 



CHAPTER y. 



Soon after tlie events narrated in the last chapter, 
Captain Newport arrived with new supplies. The colo- 
nists were overjoyed, and the sailors at once commenced 
to trade with the natives, obtaining for a few trinkets 
quantities of copper and other valuables. Captain New- 
port sent Powhatan some presents, which so pleased the 
royal savage that he begged for a visit from " The Great 
Father," as he called Newport. It was some time before 
Captain Smith could persuade Captain Newport to trust 
himself among the savages, but Smith undertook with 
twenty well armed men to encounter the worst that 
could happen to them; so fitting up a small vessel, they 
started up the river. Landing near the dwelling of 
Powhatan, they were met by two or three hundred 
savages, who conducted them to the town. Hero Pow- 
Iiatan received them with great shouts of joy. They 



HISTORY OF VIRGIKIA. 31 

found him sitting upon his bed of mats, with a pillow 
of leather beside him, embroidered after their manner 
with pearls and white beads. His royal robe was a 
great mantle of skins which covered him ; at his head 
and feet sat a handsome young woman, and on each side 
of his house were twenty more women, their heads and 
shoulders painted red, and with chains of white beads 
about their necks. In front of these were the chief men 
of the tribe, and behind them a guard of about ono 
hundred people; and as the Englishmen passed through 
this guard, proclamation was made that none upon pain 
of death should do them any harm. Then followed a 
long interview between Newport and Powhatan, in 
which each tried to outdo the other in professions of 
love and friendship. Next followed a great feast, 
dancing, singing, and all kinds of merriment. They 
were entertained that night at Powhatan's quarters. 

Three or four days passed in this manner, during all 
of which time Powhatan bore himself so proud 1}^ that 
all were compelled to admire the monarch who, though 
he had never been beyond the American forests, was 
yet every inch a king. Very cunning he proved him- 
self, too, in trading with the English, though in this 
matter Captain Smith proved himself the better man 
of the two. 

As if scorning to trade as his subjects did, he said : 
" Captain Newport, it is not agreeable to my greatness 
in this peddling manner to trade for trifles, and I esteem 
you also a great chief, therefore lay me down all your 
commodities together ; what 1 like I will take, and will 
P^y you what I think is their value." Captain Smith 
saw through his design at once, and told Captain New- 
port that the cunning savage only wanted to cheat him. 



32 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



and get more for his commodities than they were worth. 
At first Captain Newport would not believe this, but 
when he found that Powhatan wanted to get as much 
for a bushel of corn as ho had expected to give for a 




POWHATAN TRADING FOB BLUE BEADS. 

hogshead, he was very angry, and a quarrel would have 
ensued between the two if Captain Smith had not inter- 
posed by drawing out a string of blue beads, which 
attracting the attention of Powhatan, diverted his 
thoughts in another direction. He at once eagerly 
bargained for the beads, but the more he wanted them the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. S3 

more unwilling Captain Smith seemed to be to let him 
Lave them. lie told Powhatan that they were made of 
a very rare substance of the color of the sky, and could 
only be worn by the greatest kings in the world. This 
of course stimulated the desire of Powhatan for them, 
and it ended by the Indian king selling three hundred 
bushels of corn for a pound or two of blue beads ; and 
yet they parted good friends. They also made the samo 
kind of a bargain with Opechankanough, obtaining 
from him for a few blue beads a quantity of valuable 
j^rovisions. The party returned to Jamestown delighted 
with their success, which, however, in the end, did not 
benefit them much ; for as they were storing away these 
new supplies the town caught fire, and being built of 
wood, almost the whole place, with their arms, clothes, 
bedding, and provisions, was destroyed. Good Preacher 
Hunt lost his library, and everything but the clothes 
he had on, yet no one ever heard him complain. And, 
to increase the affliction of the colony, this accident 
occurred in the middle of winter, and a great deal of 
Buffering ensued. If Captain Smith had been listened 
to, all hands would at once have set to work to rebuild 
the town, but just at this time a fever seized the colony 
most fatal to its prosperity ; it was the fever for gold, 
and pervaded all classes of men. In the bed of one of 
the streams near Jamestown, amongst the clay and sandj 
a shining substance had been discovered, which was 
pronounced by some, who pretended to have knowledge 
in these matters, to be gold. At once the farmer 
dropped his plough and the carpenter his tools, and all 
classes and ages of men hurried to possess themselves 
of the precious metal; so that nothing was talked of but 
gold, nothing was hoped for but gold, no work was done 
2* 



34 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. 
The fields where their true wealth la}^ were neglected ; 
their houses, the rebuilding of which was so necessary 
to their comfort, lay in ruins ; their provisions were 
scarcely enough to support life; and still the mad fever 
went on. They even loaded a ship with the gilded 
earth, and putting it under the command of Captain 
Newport, who was also a victim to this wild delirium, 
rhey sent it home to England, where, being examined, it 
Was found, much to their mortification, to be nothing 
but worthless clay. But, after all, this disappointment 
was the best thing that could have happened to the 
colonists, as they at once abandoned their wild search 
for gold and returned to their proper employments. 
And Smith, taking advantage of this favorable change, 
proceeded to rebuild the city and plant the crops ; and 
soon all were busy and cheerful, cutting down trees, 
preparing the fields, planting corn, and building houses. 
A vessel from England that had been thought to be 
lost, arrived with supplies, which relieved their imme- 
diate wants ; and, taught by the follies of the past, the 
future looked more hopeful. 

A difficulty with the Powhatans was the next thing 
which engaged their attention. AYhile Captain New- 
port was at Jamestown, King Powhatan sent to him a 
present of twenty turkeys, with a request that he would 
send him twenty swords, which he, anxious to keep on 
friendlj' terms with him, did. After his departure, Pow- 
hatan sent Captain Smith twenty turkeys, expecting a 
like return, but he found he had a different person to 
deal with. Smith took no notice of the request, and 
Powhatan, indignant at the ill success of his scheme, 
ordered his men to beset the colonists and seize their 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 35 

arms wliercYer lliey could find tlicm. This produced 
constant annoyance ; the parties at work were continually 
interrupted, but so much afraid were they of provoking 
the enmity of the Indians, that these injuries remained 
unpunished, until emboldened by this fact, they became 
more annoying than ever. It chanced, however, that 
Captain Smith became the object of some of their out- 
rages, and as may be imagined he was not one to take 
it meekly. He hunted them up and down the country, 
he terrified them w^ith whipping and imprisonment, and 
kept in the prison of Jamestown seven savages as hos- 
tages for the good behavior of the others; they in return 
captured two Englishmen, and sent Smith word that 
they should be put to death at once if the Indians were 
not released. As an answer to this, Smith marched out 
against them, and in two hours so punished their inso 
lence that they brought him his two men, and without 
any further conditions begged for ])eace. lie forced 
them to confess that they had been sent by Povvhatan 
to capture arms, which they were to use against the 
English themselves. But this the cunning monarch 
stoutly denied, and even sent his daughter Pocahontas 
to Jamestown Avith presents to Captain Smith, and ear- 
nest entreaties that he would excuse the rashness of 
some of his chiefs, who without orders from him had 
perpetrated these outrages. Captain Smith punished 
his captives as he thought fit, and delivered them to 
Pocahontas, for whose sake alone, he said, he spared their 
lives and gave them their liberty. 

The wisdom of Captain Smith in this affair was 
plainlj^ shown, as it brought the savages to such fear 
and obedience that his very name was sufficient to con- 
trol them, and instead of constant alarms and inter- 
ruptions, all was now peace and quiet. 



36 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



Questions for Examination. 

1. "What happened next? 

2. Tell of llie visit to Towhatan. 

3. How d d Powhiitan try to cheat the Ensjlish? 

4. }lo\v (lil Captain Smith prove ns cunning us he? 

5. Tell Of the blue bead transaction. 

6. Whnt liappened on their retain to Jamestown? 

7. What IVver seized the colony? 

8. What ettect did it have ou their prosperity? 

9. How did it end? 

li». What next engaged their attention? 

11. lYid Smith submit to the will or Powhatan? 

12. What did Powhatan do 

13. How did Smith revenge himself? 

14. How did the difficulty end ? 

15. What effect did this havB oa the savages? 



CHAPTEE YI. 
1608. 



Two years had now elapsed since the first settlement 
of the colony at Jamestown, and though Captain Smith 
had made many voyages for the purpose of learning the 
extent and resources of the country, yet but little had 
been really accomplished. You remember that I told 
you some chapters back that this colony Avas sent from 
England by "The London Company," and they were 
permitted to take possession of fifty miles along the sea 
coast, and one hundred miles back from the coast. 
This was a vast extent of country, but only a small 
portion of it had yet been explored. So in June 
of the year 1G08, the colony being in a condition of quiet 
and prosperity, Captain Smith determined to push his 
discoveries along the sea-coast. For this purpose ho 
fitted out a boat, and taking with him fourteen men, 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 37 

he started down the river towards the ocean. Again 
they touched at Point Hope and Point Comfort, and 
recalled the time when, etorm-tosscd and weary, they 
had here welcomed the prospect of rest. 

Touching at Cape Henry, they crossed the Bay to the 
Eastern Shore, visited Smith's Isles, and then crossed 
over to Cape Charles. Here two fierce stout savages 
came to the landing, and holding long poles in their 
hands, holdly demanded who they were, and what they 
wanted ; but finding the English friendly in their answers, 
they too became very polite, and directed them to 
Accomack, the habitation of their king. They found 
him the handsomest and most polite savage whom 
they had yet encountered. These Indians spoke the 
language of the Powhatans, and as our colonists had 
become quite familiar with that, they had no difficulty 
in conversing with them. 

The king was quite eloquent in his description of the 
bays, isles, and rivers, and excited great expectations in 
the voyagers, so that they soon left their hospitable 
host and pursued their voyage. Many were the dis- 
coveries they made of islands, rivers, and fertile fields. 
Sometimes they were kindly received by the natives, 
at other times they had to fight their way on, and often 
they were reduced to great straits for want of pro- 
visions, when of course the crew blamed Captain Smith 
for bringing them upon the journey ; but he bore it all 
with patient firmness which overcame their ill temper. 
Once, when he could scarcely bear their murmurs, ho 
said to them: "Gentlemen, do you not remember the 
history of Sir Pichard Grenville and his men ? how 
when their provisions were nearly exhausted and he 
thought of returning, his brave men begged him to let 



38 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



them go forward, as thcj Lad two dogs, which, boiled 
with sassafras leaves, Avould richly feed them. Then 
what a shame is it for you who still have provisions left 
you, to wish to force my return when we have not even 
yet heard of what we came out to seek! You cannot 
^ay that I have not shared with you the worst of Avhat 




CAPTAIN SMITH REBUKING HIS CRKW. 

Is past; and 1 am content that in what is to come you 
give the worst part to myself As for your fears that I 
will lose myself in these unknown Avaters, or be swal- 
lowed up in some stormy gust, abandon such childish 
apprehensions, regain your old spirits ; for return I will 
not, if God please, until 1 have found that which I came 
out to seek." 

Sickness, however, attacked them, and Caj)tain Smith 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 39 



was obliged to return to Jamestown, where he dismissed 
his crew, took an entirely new set of men, and returned 
to push his discoveries in Chesapeake Bay. Numerous 
were the adventures of this party, and great the dangers 
from which they escaped. They pursued their course 
up to the head of Chesapeake Bay and into the various 
rivers, and made the acquaintance and secured the friend- 
ship of the numerous tribes of Indians, who promised 
to plant corn for the settlement, for which the English 
were to give them hatchets, beads, and other things 
which they much desired. 

The two most powerful tribes with whom they 
met deserve mention. They were the Massawomeks 
and the Susquehannas. The first were said to come 
from great waters far to the Korth, which are now 
supposed to bo the lakes of Canada ; they were at war 
with all the other Indian tribes, and none were able to 
stand against them except the Susquehannas, who had 
their home upon the river which now bears their name. 
They were a giant people. Captain Smith describes 
one of their chiefs as very great in sise^ measuring 
three-quarters of a yard around the calf of his leg, and the 
rest of the body in the same proportion. lie was dressed 
in the skins of bears and wolves, with a bear's head 
upon his breast, its ears for shoulder ornaments, and 
its paws hanging down from the elbow. lie wore a 
wolf's skin at his back for a quiver, and a wolf's head 
hanging to a chain for a jewel. But notwithstanding 
their savage appearance the Susquehannas are described 
as an honest simple people, so impressed with the great' 
ness of the English that they could scarce be kept from 
worshipping them as gods. 

These voyages and discoveries occupied Captain 



40 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



Smith from June until September, during which time 
he had travelled three thousand miles in an open boat. 
When he returned to Jamestown he found the colony 
much reduced by sickness and the bad management 
of Captain Eatcliffe, who had occupied all the time of 
Smith's absence in building himself a palace, instead 
of attending to the wants of the suffering people. And 
now, in spite of their jealousies, Captain Smith's supe- 
riority was acknowledged, as the Council met two days 
after his long voyage and elected him President of 
the colony. He at once commenced the most vigorous 
measures, stopped the work upon Eatcliffe Palace 
as useless, repaired the church and the store-houses, 
built a new fort, and placed the whole settlement in 
better condition than it had ever been before. Soon 
after Captain Newport arrived with supplies; he told 
Captain Smith that he had orders not to return until ho 
could bring back a lump of gold and had discovered the 
passage to the Pacific ocean, which they still imagined 
lay only a short distance from them. Captain Smith's 
travels into the country, however, convinced him that 
this was a mistake, and he told Captain Newport that 
the fine ship he had brought would never take them to 
the sea, until they had carried her across high moun- 
tains and forests more extensive than they could guess ; 
and as to the lump of gold, he besought Captain New- 
port not again to excite the fever which had been so 
nearly ruinous to the existence of the colony. Captain 
Newport insisted that his orders were positive, and he 
said besides, that he had information upon which he 
could rely, that the country of the Monnachins, who 
were the nearest neighbors and great enemies of the 
Powhatans, would furnish them with an abundance of 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 41 

the precious metal. IIo told Smith that with the view 
of obtaining the help of the Powhatans in this matter, 
he had brought with him many costly presents for Pow- 
hatan, among other things a king's crown, a scarlet 
cloak, bed and bedstead, a basin and ewer, and other 
furniture ; and ho thought that if they could get Pow- 
hatan to come to Jamestown for the purpose of receiving 
these presents, they could so flatter him with the grand 
ceremony of crowning him king that he would be 
willing to go with them against the Monnachins. 
Again Captain Smith remonstrated ; he said that it was 
a great mistake to give all these rich presents to the 
Indians, that they were now quite as well satisfied with 
a few strings of blue beads as they would be with all the 
jewels of England ; but if they were taught the use 
of these additional luxuries, they would learn to value 
themselves and their commodities at a much higher 
rate, and so be harder and more expensive to deal with 
in the future. But his wise counsel was unheeded ; 
Captain Newport would have his own way, and after 
further consultation Captain Smith agreed to go to 
Powhatan and invite him to Jamestown. The account 
of this conference I will reserve for the next chapter, 
and I will conclude this by telling you of the crew 
Captain Newport brought with him. There came with 
him the first English women who had ever visited 
Jamestown, Mrs. Forest and her maid Anne Burras ; ho 
brought also among his crew two brave soldiers, Cap- 
tains Waldo and Winne, whose cheerful spirits and 
willing hands greatly aided the colonists in their work. 
Captain Smith tells an amusing incident of the first 
attempt of some of the gentlemen to go to work in the 
American forests, lie had taken a party of them about 



42 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

five miles below Jamestown to cut down trees, himself 
as usual doing the hardest work. J^ight merrily they 
performed the task with laughter and singing, rejoicing 
in the thunder of the great trees as they measured their 
length upon the ground. But soon the tender hands of 
the new-comers began to blister from the unusual tax 
Upon them, and with about every third blow of the axe 
a loud oath would come. To stop this. Captain Smith 
ordered that every oath should be set down, and that, 
when the day's work was over each perpetrator of such 
tsin should have a can of cold water poured down his 
sleeve, which so washed the wickedness out of them 
^-hat soon not an oath a week was heard. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. "What is the date of the events narrated in this chapter? 

2. What extent of country had been granted to the London Com- 

pany ? 

3. For what purpose did Captain Smith start on his voyage, and 

what ot his crew? 

4. At wliat points did they touch, and what Indians did they 

first encounter? 

5. Describe them. 

6. What discoveries did they make, and how were tliey received 

by the natives? 

7. What difficulties did Captain Smith have to encounter? 

8. TeH the slory uf his remonstrance witii Ihem. 

9. Why were tiiey obliged lo return to Jamestown? 

10. Did Captain smitlt malte a second start? 

11. What powerful tribes did tliey meet, and from wlxat portion 

of the country did tliey cotne 

12. Describe the giant chief of tlie Susquehannas, and how did 

they receive tl e English 

13. How long did these voyaj^es and discoverie>? occupy Captain 

Smith, and liow far <li.l lie travel? 

14. What condition of things did lie find at Jamestown on his 

return? 
lij. How was his superiority acknowledged? 

16. What were liis liist steps 

17. Wliat was Captain Newport's course upon his arrival? 
1H. W^hat presents had lie brought lor Powhatan? 

19. What remonstrance did Smith make, and was he listened to? 

20. Give some account of the crew Newport brought out witu him. 
SI. How did Bmith cure profanity in his laborers? 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, 43 



CHAPTER YII. 
1608. — Continued. 

According to tho agreement between Smith and ISTcw- 
port related in the last chapter, tho former taking 
with him Waldo and three others of the new-comers, 
Btarted out for the residence of Powhatan. When they 
reached there they found that he was thirty miles away, 
and had to bo sent for; and the English waited for him 
in a green field near by. Here they made a fire and 
seated themselves on a mat before it. Suddenly they 
were startled by a hideous sound from a neighboring 
woods. Seizing their arms, they caught one or two old 
men who were standing by and held them as hostages, 
thinkincc that Powhatan and all his force were coming 
to surprise them. Then came the beautiful Pocahontas 
from tho woods, and delivering herself into tho hands 
of Captain Smith, told him that ho might kill her if 
any harm happened to their party ; that she only in- 
tended some entertainment for them until the arrival 
of her father. Thus reassured, they waited the next 
event. Presently thirty young women, all fantastically 
painted in diiferent colors, and with bucks' horns on 
their heads, came singing and dancing out of the woods. 
One had an otter skin hanging from her girdle, another 
a quiver of arrows at her back and a bow and arrow in 
her hand, another carried a sword, and another a club ; 
each bore a different burden. These rushing from 
among tho trees with most unmusical shouts and cries, 
formed themselves in a ring around the fire, where they 
danced and sung for about an hour ; they then con- 
ducted tho Englishmen to a house where a feast was 



44 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

prepared for them, consisting of all the savage dainties 
that could be obtained, after which, by the light of fire- 
brands, with singing and dancing, they conducted Smith 
and his men to their lodgings. The next day came Pow- 
hatan, and Smith delivered his message, telling him that 
his "Father Newport" had arrived, and brought him 
from his brother, the King of England, rich presents, 
which he begged he would come to Jamestown to receive, 
and afterwards the English would go with him and give 
him his revenge upon the Monnachins. The proud savage 
replied, " If your king has sent me presents, I also am 
a king, and this is my land ; eight days I will stay hero 
to receive them ; your father is to come to me, not I to 
him, nor yet to your fort ; neither will I bite at such a 
bait. As for the Monnachins, I can avenge my own in- 
• juries. And as for any account you may have from my 
people of waters beyond these mountains, it is false." 
He then commenced drawing upon the ground plots of 
the country as he believed it to be. Smith returned to 
Jamestown with this answer. Captain Newport, ever 
more ready to obey the savages than to compel their 
obedience to him, sent the presents to Powhatan, and 
the next day was fixed for the coronation. After much 
trouble they induced Powhatan to put on the fine 
clothes and the scarlet cloak, but when the time came 
for him to kneel and put the crown on his head, he j^osi- 
tively refused. In vain they told him until they were 
tired that the crown made him a king. He said he was 
already a king, and that it was unkingly to bend his 
knee ; at length, however, by leaning hard on his shoul- 
der, they made him stoop a little, and three men, having 
the crown in their hands, placed it upon his head. 
Then, at a given signal, came such a volley of shot from 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



45 



the boats that the new-made king in his crown started 
up with fear, thinking he was about to be attacked. 
He soon saw his mistake, and to cover his embarrass- 
ment turned to Captain JS^ewport, and with the proud 
manner of a sovereign to a subject, presented him with 
his old mantle and shoes. Kewport tried hard to per- 



I'M 




COKONATION OF POWHATAN. 



Buade him to go with them against the Monnachins, but 
he refused either to go or to lend them men or guides 
for the purpose. As a return for the handsome gifts 
which had been sent him, he then presented Newport 
with seven or eiirht bushels of wheat cars, and with 
these the disappointed party returned to Jamestown, 
inwardly acknowledging the wisdom of Captain Smith, 



46 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

who had given his advice against the plan. Captain 
Newport still insisted upon the expedition against the 
Monnachins, and taking with them a hundred and 
twenty men, amongst whom was a refiner of precious 
metals, they started. They found the Monnachins a 
quiet and peaceable people, with whom they had no dif 
ficulty. They also found some earth which their refiner 
said contained small quantities of silver, but not enough 
to reward them for their trouble ; nor would the Monna- 
chins trade with them, pretending to believe that there 
were ships in the bay which would destroy them if they 
came to Jamestown ; and so eff'ectually had they hidden 
their corn in the woods that the English could not find 
it. So the expedition returned to Jamestown sick with 
the disappointment of their gilded hopes, as Captain 
Smith had foretold. 

This same year Anne Burras, the maid of Mrs. Forest, 
who had come over in the last vessel under Newport, 
was married to John Laydon, one of the colonists -, this 
was the first English marriage in Yirginia. 

1 will now tell you how the life of Captain Smith 
was once more saved by the beautiful Pocahontas. It 
happened in the month of December. Powhatan was 
then staying at his favorite residence, "Werowoco- 
moco, which was situated on the York river, not very 
far from Jamestown, and was the scene of Captain 
Smith's former miraculous escape from death through 
the love of Pocahontas. Powhatan sent a message to 
Smith, requesting him to send some men to build him a 
house, and to send him besidca a grindstone, fifty 
swords, some guns, a cock and a hen ; and if this request 
was comphed with, he would have his ship loaded with 
corn. Captain Smith was not deceived by the promises 



HISTORY OP VIRGINIA. 47 



of the Indian chief, but after their late ill-success corn 
was most important to the colony ; so he sent two 
Dutchmen and three Englishmen to build the house, and 
himself fitting out three vessels with forty-six men, 
made his way by water to the dwelling of the wily chief. 
Stopping with some friendly tribes, he was warned that 
Powhatan intended his destruction. Thus warned, he 
proceeded on his journey, and on the twelfth of January 
reached Werowocomoco, where he found the river frozen 
half a mile from the shore. Captain Smith set the ex- 
ample of breaking the ice, and wading up to their arm- 
pits they landed, took possession of the first wigwams 
they saw, and sent to Powhatan for provisions. He 
complied, and the next day visited them. Then com- 
menced a rare war of wits between Captain Smith and 
the Indian king, each trying which could be the more 
cunning. Powhatan first said that he had no corn ; 
whereupon Smith reminded him of the promises made 
through the messengers he had sent to Jamestown. At 
this Powhatan laughed, and said he but joked, and asked 
to see their commodities. They were displayed, and then 
the wily king proceeded to ask the most exorbitant prices 
for his corn ; but Captain Smith would not allow himself 
to be cheated, and would make none but fair bargains. 
Powhatan next tried what great professions of friendshij) 
could do, reminded Smith of his past favors, and re- 
proached him for coming to him with arms in his hands 
as if he were an enemy, which he said so frightened his 
men that they would not bring their corn to sell. lie 
proposed that they should send their arms away to the 
boat and show themselves to the people without them, 
and then they could trade freely. But Caj^tain Smith was 
not to be deceived by such talk, and refused to give up 



48 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

tbcir arms or to sell them, letting the savage know that 
ho had no confidence in his professions of friendship, 
that he understood that he wanted to catch them 
without their arms, so that he might destroy them. 

This conversation lasted until Captain Smith wearied 
out, and seeing that Powhatan only trifled with him, 
attempted to capture him and so force him to keep his 
promises, but the chief was too quick for him and made 
Ms escape. Presently the house where the English 
were was beset by savages. Captain Smith with one 
man rushed out amongst them, pistol, sword and target 
in hand, and such was their fear of him that as soon as 
they saw him they went tumbling one over the other, 
only too glad to escape unhurt. Soon afterwards Pow- 
hatan sent one of his orators to them, who thus spoke : 
''Captain Smith, our chief, fearing your guns, has fled; 
ho only sent some of his men to guard his corn which 
might be stolen without your knowledge. Notwith- 
standing your suspicions, Powhatan is your friend, and 
will ever continue so. As the ice has now melted, he 
would have you send away your corn ; and if you wish 
his company, send away your guns, which so frighten his 
people." But Captain Smith, holding on to his arms, 
got the corn and loaded his ships. That night Powha- 
tan and the wicked Dutchmen who were building his 
house, laid a plan to take the lives of Captain Smith and 
his men. But God willed it otherwise. Through the 
darkness of that night came Pocahontas, ever the 
guardian angel of the colony, and revealed to Captain 
Smith the plot. She told him that a great feast would 
presently be sent him from her father, and while they 
were engaged in eating it they were to be surrounded 
and killed. He in gratitude offered to repay her with 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 49 

such things as she valued most, hut with the tears run- 
ning down her sorrowful cheeks she refused them, saying 
that she dared not be found with any such things, as her 
father would find out what she had done and would kill 
her, so weeping bitterly she departed. Presently it 
happened as she had said ; ten stout Indians came laden 
with venison, turkeys and other delicacies, and they 
were followed by more, and still again by more ; but the 
Englishmen remained on their guard with arms in their 
hands during the whole night, and Powhatan never 
knew that his plot was Betrayed. The next day they 
set sail for Jamestown, leaving the Dutchmen at work 
upon the house of Powhatan, the stout stone chimney 
of which still remains to mark the spot where this grand 
old Indian chief held his savage court, and where his 
beautiful daughter Pocahontas more than once endan- 
gered her own life to protect that of Captain Smith. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. What Is the date of the events recorded In this chapterT 

2. Wuat was Captain Smith's next enterprise? 

3. What happened upon their arrival at the residence of Pow« 

liatan ? 

4. Give an acf^ountof the entertainment provided by Pocahontas. 

5. How did Powhatan receive the news 8niith brought him? 

6. What did Newport <hi? 

7. Describe tiie corouation of Powhatan. 

8. "Wuat f access did they meet witli In their expedition into the 

country of tlie Monnacliins? 

9. "What event occuned this name year? 

10. "What message did Powliatau send buiith, and what was the 

name of his residence? 

11. Point it out on the map. 

12. Did Stuith oinply with the request of Powhatan? 

13. Kt'late tlie circuinstar.ces of llieir journey and reception. 

14. Itt-late the interview between .^miiti and Powliatan. 

15. Wliat MMs I'owluitan's oiyect, and liow did it succeed? 
1« What di I his oriLor siy ? 

17. Did (Smith ^et the corn ? 

1«*. What pli)t was revealed to them? 

19. How was its success preventeii? 

20. Itelafe .Smith's interview with Pocahontas* 
81. "What happened uller wards? 

3 



50 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



CHAPTER YIIL 
1609. 

Amongst the last crew of Captain !N"ewport were a 
number of Dutchmen, who, being strong able-bodied 
men and accustomed to labor, were expected to do a 
great deal of the hard work in the colony ; but instead 
of this, they became a source of serious trouble, and 
were more dangerous enemies than the savages them- 
selves. I told you in the last chapter how some of them, 
whom Captain Smith sent to Powhatan to build him a 
house, by plotting with this crafty savage would have 
destroyed Smith and his party but for the interposition 
of Pocahontas. After the Eno-lish had set sail from 
Werowocomoco, Powhatan quickly dispatched two of 
these Dutchmen across the country to Jamestown. 
These told Caj^tain Winne, who was acting as President, 
that all was well with Smith's command, and that 
having no use for their old arms they had sent them 
back for new. Captain Winne, believing what they said, 
furnished the arms. They then excited the avarice of 
some of their countrymen by telling them the great 
promises Powhatan had made to them if they would 
join him in destroying the English. They were eagerly 
listened to, and being expert thieves, they stole quanti- 
ties of arms and ammunition, secretly conveying them 
by night to the woods, where the Indians were in wait- 
ing. In the morning they returned to the city without 
exciting suspicion. In the meantime. Smith and his 
crew, after cruising about the coast notwithstanding 
their late danger, came to Pamaunkee, where dwelt 
King Opechankanough, the brother of Powhatan, who 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 51 

had promised them large supplies of corn for the colony. 
Leaving their boats, Smith, with fifteen of his men, went 
to the house of the king, who soon joined them with 
numbers of his men, carrying scanty supplies of corn 
for which he asked exorbitant prices. Smith, in 
great indignation, said to him : " Opechankanough, the 
deceitfulness of your professions of love is made plain by 
your actions. You know our want, and we your plenty. 
We must have supplies. You have promised us corn; 
and kings should keep their j^romiscs. Here are our 
commodities; take what you want, and I myself will 
make the bargains with your people." The cunning 
chief pretended to be perfectly satisfied, and gave them 
what they had there at their own price, promising to 
return next day with a great deal more. So they 
parted, the Englishmen returning to their boats. 

The next day they found four or five men with great 
baskets of corn waiting for them, and Opechankanough, 
welcoming them with assumed cheerfulness, proceeded 
to sell them great bargains in the corn. Presently in 
came one of Smith's men, and told them that they were 
betrayed, that at least seven hundred savages sur- 
rounded the house in which they were. This created 
great dismay among Smith's party; but he, smiling 
calmly at their fears, told them he would be well satis- 
fied if he had no enemies he feared more than he did 
these savages ; he said that he was far more afraid of 
the unruly spirits at Jamestown who sent home false 
reports of him, bade them remember how often he had 
escaped from far greater peril than this which now 
threatened them, and promised them if they would stand 
by him, and trust to him, that with the help of God, ho 
would not only bring them out of this trouble, but 



52 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



would force the Indians to give them full supplies of 
what they needed. His words had the desired effect ; 
their courage returning, they promised him to act as he 
wished. Turning to Opechankanough, he told him that 
he plainly saw through the plot to murder him ; pro- 
posed that the two parties should adjourn to the open 




CAPTURE OP OPKCHANKANOUQH. 



field and there settle their quarrel by fighting, and 
whichever conquered should remain masters of the 
country. The cunning king, however, tried to pacify 
Captain Smith with soft words, telling him that no 
harm was intended, but that on the contrary he had 
provided a rich present for him which waited his 
acceptance at the door. Glancing out, he saw baskets 
of corn guarded by about two hundred men, with their 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 53 

arrows upon their bent bows, and knew at once that 
their design was to get him out of the house, when they 
would instantly kill him. In a great rage at this deceit. 
Smith now ordered two of his men to guard the door, 
and rushing alone into the midst of the king's guard, 
before he had time to make any resistance he seized 
Opechankanough by his long lock of hair, and put a 
pistol to his breast. The army of savages was instantly 
quelled ; the guards threw down their arms, and the 
others were terror-stricken at the man who dared thus 
to deal with their king, whom Smith led into the midst 
of his people, utterly humbled at his defeat. The 
Indians pressed eagerly forward and laid their baskets 
of corn at Smith's feet, while the king himself ordered 
his richest stores to be brought to his conqueror. 
Smith, still holding him by the hair of his head, thus 
spoke to them in their own language : " I see the great 
desire you Pamaunkees have to take my life, and you 
think because I have not punished your treachery before 
that you are safe from my revenge. The reason I have 
borne so long with your insolence is, that I made a vow 
before God to be your friend ; this vow, if I keep, God 
will keep me, and you can not hurt me ; if I break it, ho 
will destroy me. But you have broken our friendship by 
your actions, and now if you shed one drop of my people's 
blood, or touch with even so much as a finger these beads 
and copper which lie here before you, I will destroy 
every Pamaunkee of your tribe ; not one shall escape. 
You promised to load my ship before I departed, and 
so you shall, or I will load her with your dead carcasses. 
But if you will come as friends, and bring your corn, I 
Avill then remember how once you saved my life when 
I was in your power. I will trade with you, and bo 
your friend forever." 



64 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, 

Away went their bows and arrows, and all day long 
men, women and children thronged him, bringing their 
commodities in as great quantities as he could desire, 
until at last, worn out with the excitement of the day, 
Smith appointed two of his men to receive the presents, 
while some others guarded Opechankanough, and he, 
throwing himself upon a mat, fell fast asleep. When 
the Indians saw their great enemy asleep, their fear of 
him diminished, and about fifty of their chosen warriors, 
with clubs or English swords in their hands, while 
hundreds of Indians pressed on behind them, bore 
swiftly down upon the house. The noise they made in 
their haste awoke Smith, who instantly seized his 
sword and stood ready to meet them. When they came 
to the entrance and saw him awake, and standing thus 
with his men around him, their courage deserted them, 
and they fell back one upon the other, until the house 
was clear of them. Opechankanough endeavored to 
make excuses for them, which Captain Smith received ; 
and the Indians loaded the vessels with their commodi- 
ties, after which the English took their departure. 

Captain Smith had many other adventures as strange 
as these which I have related. No wonder the simple 
Indians looked upon him as a superior being, and at 
length, through the fear they had of him, concluded a 
peace with him, and became subject to the English. 
Before I go farther I must tell what became of the 
treacherous Dutchmen. One of their number making 
his escape to England, by his false accounts of gold 
mines and great riches to be found in Yirginia, induced 
some noblemen to come hither, who, finding him but an 
impostor, left him to perish miserably. The others 
desiring to leave Powhatan and return to the English, 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 55 

that warrior showed the real contempt in which he held 
them. "You," he said, " who were so ready to betray 
Captain Smith to me, will as readily betray me to 
Captain Smith; " so he caused their brains to be beaten 
out with clubs. 

After his success in trading with the Indians, Smith 
returned to Jamestown with abundant supplies, whereat 
the delighted colonists prepared to sit down and enjoy 
in idleness what he had collected at so much risk and 
toil. But this he would by no means allow. He told 
them sternly that he who did not work, neither should 
ho eat. He set each man his allotted task, making his 
own equal to the best of them, and he who did not fulfil 
this task was to be sent beyond the limits of the colony, 
and left to shift for himself This rule had the desired 
effect, and for a time all went well ; and under his wise 
management would have continued to improve, had it 
not been for the want of wisdom in the London Com- 
pany, who, becoming impatient at so small returns in 
money from the colony in Virginia, induced the King 
of England to allow them to fit out nine vessels, in 
which they sent five hundred men. These had orders 
to take 2^ossession of the colony, and to send back the 
men who had so long endured all the dangers of the new 
settlement. 

The confusion that followed maybe imagined. These 
new arrivals were generally noblemen and gentlemen, 
unused to work and intent only on their own gain. 
Seeing this state of things, Captain Smith would wil- 
lingl}^ have surrendered all and returned to England, but 
it so happened that the vessel containing the letters of 
the King appointing the new President, had been 
detained by a storm, and until it arrived he could not 



56 HISTOKY OF VIRGINIA. 

desert his post. So with his usual energy and patient 
firmness, notwithstanding the opposition he met with 
from those who hated him because of the very qualities 
which they should have admired, he set to work to plant 
new colonies, and provide as best he might against the 
evils with which this new arrival threatened him. How 
he would have succeeded is not known, for one day 
returning to Jamestown to quell a mutiny which had 
occurred there, while he was asleep in his boat a bag of 
powder accidentally exploded, burning his thigh and 
a portion of his body in a pitiful manner; so great 
was the agony he endured that he leaped overboard, 
striving by the one element to subdue the other. "With 
difficulty they rescued him and bore him to Jamestown, 
but as there was neither medicine nor doctors to cure 
his hurt, and as the ships were to return to England the 
next day, he determined to leave with them ; and so this 
colony, in the midst of its disorders and mutinies, lost 
the only man who was able by his wisdom and discretion 
to bring order out of the confusion which now reigned. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. "What date heads this chapter? 

2. Relate the plot of the Dutchmen. 

3. Where did Hmith next go lo obtain other corn? 

4. How W!i8 he received? 

6. What did Smith Kay to Opechankanoush 7 

6. In what great peril did llie English liad themselves? 

7. How did isinith restore their couiage? 

8. What di.l he say to the Indian chief? 

O. What deceitful answer did he receive, and liowdid he act? 

10. What was tlie elFect of Opechankauough's capture? 

11. What did Smith tell the-u? 

12. What did the Indians do? 

13. How did they again attempt his life? 

14. Did tlie Engllsli succeed in their object, and how did the 

Indians regard Captain Smith? 

15. What became of the treacherous Dutchmen ? 

10. "What happened upon Smith's return lo Jamestown? 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 67 



17. How did the policy of the London Company Interfere with 

the })rosperity of tlie colony? 

18. What was the result? 

19. How did Stnith act? 

20. What happened to him? 

31. What was the effect of his departure upon the colony? 



CHAPTER IX. 
1609-1614. 



As may be imagined by my readers, the colony at 
Jamestown went rapidly to ruin after the departure of 
Captain Smith. The savages, who had been kept in awe 
by him, as soon as they learned that he had left, re- 
volted, and proceeded to murder all the English they 
encountered ; and at last so intimidated the colonists 
that they seldom dared to go beyond the fortifications 
at Jamestown. On one occasion Powhatan tempted a 
party of thirty men, under John Eatcliffe, to come to him 
for provisions; he slew all of them except one hoy, who 
was saved by Pocahontas, and who lived, protected by 
her, for many years among the Indians. Thus, through 
these disasters, were the unhappy colonists forced to 
acknowledge the great loss they had sustained in Cap- 
tain Smith. Shut up within the small boundaries of the 
unhealthy city, afraid to go beyond either to cultivate 
their crops or to engage in those other employments 
which were conducive both to the health and wealth of 
the colony ; subject to the terror of the savages without, 
and to disorders and mismanagement within, it is no 
wonder that in less than six months after Captain 
Smith's departure, by sickness, starvation, and the toma, 
3* 



58 HISTORY OF VIRGII^IA. 

hawk of the savage, the numbers of the colony were 
reduced from five hundred to sixty men, women and 
children j and these poor wretched creatures were pre- 
served for the most part by feeding on herbs, roots, 
acorns and berries. One of their number, in writing of 
this dreadful time, says : " So great was our famine, 
that a savage we slew and buried, the poorer sort took 
him up again and ate him; and so did divers one another 
boiled and stewed with roots and herbs. One amongst 
the rest did kill his wife, powdered her, and had eaten 
part of her before it was known ; for which he was exe- 
cuted. Now whether she was better boiled or roasted 
I know not, but of such a dish as a powdered wife I 
never heard." 

And all these evils came from their own course of 
idleness and mismanagement, as the country was fully 
able to afford them most ample support, both from the 
production of the field, game of the forest, and fish of 
the rivers. To add to their distress, they believed them- 
selves abandoned by their friends in England, as no ves- 
sel had come from there for many months. At length, 
however^ when they were reduced to the greatest ex- 
tremities, Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers 
arrived with a hundred and fifty men. You can well 
imagine how the poor, starving, dying men crawled 
down to the shore to give them welcome, and how they 
begged, with the tears streaming over their cheeks, to 
be taken away from this wretched place, where they 
had suffered so much misery. It was a sad welcome ; 
and so greatly were the new-comers shocked at the con- 
dition of affairs, that they readily ^^elded to the en- 
treaties of these unfortunate men, and determined to 
abandon Jamestown and return to England. So the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



59 



next day, after burying the guns and ammunition at the 
gate of the fort, they all embarked. Some of the people 
were with difficulty prevented by Sir Thomas Gates 
from setting fire to the town. They fired a farewell 
volley, but not a tear was shed at leaving a j^lace where 
they had endured so much. The boat started down tha 




AKRIVAIi OF SIR THOMAS GATES AT JAMESTOWN. 

river, and the men crowded the decks to take a farewell 
look at the familiar places along its banks; and a feeling 
of regret must have filled even their bosoms, that this 
beautiful country, with its great resources, should bo 
given up to the savage ; nor did God, who overrules all 
things, intend that this should be, for before they had 
been many hours on the journey, they saw, cominjy up 
the river toward^ tl^em, a long boat with dispat/'V<s3 



60 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

from Lord Delaware, who was not far behind, with threo 
vessels and plenty of provisions to last the whole colony 
a year. This changed the aspect of affairs, and Sir Thomas 
Gates, changing the course of his vessel, returned to 
Jamestown, reaching there the evening of the same day. 

The third day after these events, Lord Delaware, Sir 
Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, with all of their 
men, arrived, and the poor, sick, famished colonists were 
drawn up to meet him; but when his lordship stepped 
on shore, before he would submit to their greeting, he 
fell upon his knees and engaged in silent prayer. It 
was an impressive scene. Adjourning to the church, they 
listened to a sermon, in which the providence of God in 
xill these matters was plainly shown to them. After 
this, Lord Delaware made a speech, which was eagerly 
listened to by the crowd. He traced the course of their 
disasters, and pointed out to them plainly how their own 
idleness and folly had been the cause of their ruin. He 
entreated them to avoid the errors of the past, or he 
as their Governor should be forced to draw the sword 
of justice, and cut off delinquents, however great the 
trial might be to himself, as he had rather shed his 
blood in their defence than to punish one of them. 

This speech was received with great applause, all 
seeing that in its stern kindness lay a hope for their 
future. Those who had been there longest knew the 
evils of misrule, and were willing to submit themselves 
to the authority of their new commander. Yigorous 
measures were adopted. He appointed regular hours 
for work and recreation. Beligious services 's\^re held 
twice on Sunday, and once in the week, at which all were 
required to attend. New treaties were made with the 
Indians, and Captain Argall was dispatched with a ves- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Gl 

Bel to the Bermudas to bring fresh provisions, but being 
forced back by a storm, Lord Dekiware sent him up the 
Potomac river to trade with the Indians ; here he found 
the young English boy whom Pocahontas had rescued, 
and through him succeeded in opening trade with the 
tribes of Indians on that river, who freighted his ship 
with all that he required. 

The next year Lord Delaware went up the James 
river as far as the Falls, near which Pichmond now 
stands. Assaulted by the Indians, four of his men were 
killed, and soon after this he Avas taken very sick and 
forced to return to England, leaving Captain George 
Percy to act as Governor until the arrival of Sir Thomas 
Dale, who had been appointed Governor by the London 
Company. He reached Jamestown in May, and found 
the colony fast falling back to their former condition of 
poverty, having relapsed into their idle habits since 
Lord Delaware's departure. He at once set them to 
work again, punishing those who would not submit to 
him with great severity, for which he was much hated. 

In August of the next year Sir Thomas Gates arrived, 
with men and provisions. He built a town upon James 
River, and called it Henricopolis ; it stood some miles 
below the present site of Richmond. Thus was the 
colony of Virginia firmly established, and with vigorous 
management was increasing in prosperity. Their old 
enemy Powhatan continued to give them trouble, cap- 
turing men and arms wherever he could find them. 
Since the return of Captain Smith to England, Poca- 
hontas had never visited Jamestown, and seemed to have 
lost her interest in the colony. But in the winter of 
the year in which Henrico was built, an event occurred 
which again connects her with the history of Yirginia. 



G2 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Captain Argall, whilst trading with a tribe of Indians 
upon the Potomac river, heard that Pocahontas was in 
the neighborhood, with an Indian chief named Japazaws, 
an old friend of Captain Smith, and determined to take 
advantage of this circumstance to compel Powhatan to 
conclude a treaty of peace with the English. He sought 
out Japazaws, and told him of his desire to obtain posses- 
sion of Pocahontas, promising that she should be treated 
with respect, as his only object was to stop the blood- 
shed which was continually going on between the 
English and the Powhatans. He also promised Japa- 
zaws a copper kettle if he would assist him in his 
undertaking. Japazaws consented, and Pocahontas, 
who believed herself unknown to this party of English- 
men, listened to the wife of Japazaws as she told 
her how anxious she was to see an English ship, 
and how her husband would take her if Pocahontas 
would go with her. For some time she refused, and 
Japazaws' wife went to her husband and told him she 
could not persuade her, whereupon Japazaws threatened 
to beat her if she did not succeed in the undertaking. 
At last Pocahontas was persuaded to accompany them. 
They found a feast prepared for them in the cabin, during 
which Japazaws trod hard upon the foot of Captain 
Argall, to remind him that he had done his part and 
the copper kettle must be forthcoming; so when the 
meal was over, Captain Argall induced Pocahontas to 
go into the gun-room while he held a conference with 
Japazaws ; then sending for her, he told her she must go 
alonjr with him, and she should never see Powhatan 
again until she had made a peace between the English 
and her tribe. Finding herself thus betrayed, the poor 
girl burst into bitter tears, and the treacherous old Indian 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 63 

and his wife howled melodiously to convince her that 
th*y too were the victims of a stratagem. 

Captain Argall succeeded at length in reconciling 
Pocahontas to her situation, by convincing her that her 
captivity would accomplish what nothing else had ever 
done — a peace between the English and Indians. So 
Japazaws and his wife, receiving their copper kettle 
and other toys, returned home, and Pocahontas will- 
ingly accompanied Captain Argall to Jamestown. 

Argall sent word to Powhatan that he held his daughter 
as a hostage, and that he must ransom her w^th the 
prisoners he held and the guns and swords he had 
stolen. Great were the rage and grief of the old Indian 
chief when he heard this news ; for he dearly loved his 
daughter, and he also loved the property of the English 
with which he must ransom her. Many were the 
promises he made and broke in his endeavor to cheat 
his enemies into surrendering her, but it was in vain. 
They knew him too well to believe in mere promises; 
so Pocahontas remained at Jamestown. Kow what 
could not be brought about by foul means was accom- 
plished by fair ; for it happened that after Pocahontas 
had been two years at Jamestown, Master John Rolfe, 
an honest gentleman, fell in love with her, and she with 
him, so they determined in this natural way to unite 
the English and the Indians. The news of this intended 
marriage reaching Powhatan, he at once gave his con- 
sent, and sent his brother Opachisto, and two of his 
eons, to witness the marriage, and conclude a permanent 
peace with the English. A messenger afterwards went 
to Powhatan from Sir Thomas Dale, bearing with him 
two pieces of copper, five wooden combs, some beads 
and fish-hooks, and a pair of knives, all of which pleased 



64 HISTORY OF A^IRGINIA. 

him well. lie was then told that Sir Thomas Dale^ 
hearing of the beauty of his second daughter, desired 
that she mi2;ht be sent to Jamestown, that she also might 
marry an Englishman, and so bind the two nations more 
closely together. The old chief answered with gravity, 
*' I am very much obliged to my brother for his salute 
of love and peace, and for his pledges thereof, which I 
will surely keep, though they are not so ample as what 
he has formerl}^ sent me. But as for my daughter, I have 
sold her in a few days past to a great Wenowance, three 
days' journey from me, for three bushels of Eawrenoke." 

The English tried to persuade him to send back the 
Kawrenoke and he should have far more than the price 
of it in beads, copper, and hatchets ; but he answered 
that he loved his daughter better than his life, that 
though he had man}^ children she was his favorite, and 
he could not live if she were taken from him ; that he 
did not consider it a brotherly part to desire to take 
away both of his children at once. He further assured 
them that he would keep peace with the English with- 
out this further pledge. He ended his speech thus : 
<' I am old, and would gladly end my days in peace ; if 
you oifer me injury, my country is large enough for me 
to go from you ; this much I hope will satisfy my 
brother. Now, because you are weary, and I am sleepy, 
we will end this." 

Thus the old King refused a further alliance with the 
English, making it plain that he had submitted to the 
marriage of- Pocahontas as a matter of necessity. 

The after-history of Pocahontas is short, but of touch- 
ing interest. Her husband, w^ho was truly devoted to 
her, carefully instructed her in Christianity, and after 
awhile she openly renounced the idolatry of her countrj;^ 



niSTORY OF VIRGINIA. 65 

and confessing the faith of Christ, was baptised in the 
old church at Jamestown, receiving the name of Re- 
becca. Two years after her marriage she, with her 
husband, went to England, where she was much ad- 
mired and sought after at the court of Queen Anne,* and 
was particularly spoken of for the admirable dignity of 
her deportment, well befitting a king's daughter. She 
learned to speak the English language quite well, and 
had one child, Thomas llolfe, who, after he became a 
man, visited Virginia and his mother's relatives. From 
him are descended many of the most prominent families 
of Virginia. It was while Pocahontas was at the court 
of Queen Anne that she again met Captain Smith, who 
gives us the only account we have of the interview. 
Upon seeing him she covered her face with her hands 
and did not speak a word. At length she said : " They 
did tell me always you were dead, and Powhatan did 
send to find out the truth, because your countrymen 
will lie much." She then added : " You call Powhatan 
* Father,' being in his land and a stranger; and now, for 
the same reason, I will call you Father." Smith remon- 
strated against this, telling her she was a king's 
daughter and must preserve her dignity; but she 
answered indignantly, "You showed no fear to come into 
my father's country, and to make him and all his people 
but me afraid, but you fear here in England for me to 
call you father. I tell you then I will, and you shall 
call me child, and so I will be forever and ever j'our 
country-woman." The life of this lovely young woman 
was a short one ; she died at Gravesend in England, four 
years after her marriage, leaving to history the most 
beautiful picture of refinement and natural majesty of 
character, springing up in a wilderness — a natural 

* The wife of James I. 



66 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

growth upon -uncultivated soil, a fair flower blooming 
alone among the sturdy oaks and pine-trees of her 
native forests. 

Virginia cannot too much honor her memory, since 
to her more than once Virginia owed its existence. And 
so long as history records deeds dared and the hard- 
ships endured by the first settlers at Jamestown, so long 
will Pocahontas be remembered as the guardian angel 
of the colony. 

Questions for Examination, 

1. How were the colonists? forced to acknowledge the loss they 

ha(i sustained in Captain Hmith? 

2. To what conditioa was the colony reduced in six months? 

3. Relate some incidents of the "starving time." 

4. What liappened When tliey were reduced to their last 

extremity? 

5. How was Sir Thomas Gates met on his arrival? 

6. llelate tiie abandonment of Juiuestown. 

7. What happened next? 

8. Give an a<rcount of Lord Delaware's arrival. 
9 How did he employ his first hours? 

10. What did lie tell the people, and how was his speech received? 

1 1. Wliat measures did the new Governor adopt? 
l->. What happened the next year? 

13. What new town was built, and where? 

14. Wliat ne"S did Captain Argail hear while trading with the 

Indians ? 

15. Tell of his bargain with Japazaws. 

li>. How did lie obtain i)ossessio)i of Pocahontas? 

17. Jlowdid Powhatan receive the news of his daughter's capture? 

18. How was tiie union between the English and Indians ac- 

complished ? 
If). What is the subsequent history of Pocahontas? 
30. How Should Virginians regard her memory ? 



CHAPTEE X. 
1G14-1622, 



It had been a matter of necessity in the early days of 
the colony, that there should bo no separation of prop- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 67 

erty; all worked for the common fund. Although, as I 
have said, this was necessary, yet was it the cause of 
innumerable evils ; no man felt that he was working for 
himself, but for everybody; and if one was disposed to be 
idle, it was easy enough to feign sickness, when he knew he 
would be supplied from the public fund. And this was 
the cause of the quarrels, the idleness and the want of 
thrift which marked the history of the first colonists of 
Virginia. So after the marriage of Pocahontas had 
established a firm peace with the Indians, it was deter- 
mined to remedy this evil. Accordingly, each one of 
the settlers was made the owner of three acres of ground 
which he called his plantation, upon which he was forced 
to subsist with his family, and to pay into the public 
treasury a tax of two and a half barrels of corn. This 
had the effect that was desired ; each man felt that his 
labor Avas for himself and his family, and so we hear 
little more of improvidence. 

The year after the death of Pocahontas, Powhatan 
died, and in him the English lost a friend, though not 
one upon Avhom much confidence could be placed, as ho 
was only bound to them by ties of interest. He was 
succeeded by Opechankanough, one of the most treach- 
erous and blood-thirsty of a treacherous and blood- 
thirsty people. For some years ho continued his pro- 
fessions of kindness and good-will to the English, but 
there is no reason to believe that he ever cherished other 
than tke bitterest hatred towards them. Perhaps his 
enmity was due to a recollection of his humiliation, 
when Captain Smith led him by the hair of his head 
through the midst of his own people ; but however this 
may be, one thing is certain, that with professions of 
love upon his tongue, he was bent upon their destruction. 



68 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

One year after the death of Powhatan, slavery was 
first introduced into Virginia. The owner of an English 
vessel purchased twenty Africans from a Dutch man- 
of-war, thinking he was doing an act of kindness, as the 
poor creatures seemed to be suffering great misery, 
crowded together in the hold of the slave-ship. The 
Virginians had before this depended for laborers upon 
criminals, who were released from the prisons of England 
that they might act as servants for the colonists. The 
condition of the negroes was pitiable in the extreme; 
and when they were brought to Jamestown, I have no 
doubt the planters thought they were doing God service 
by taking the poor creatures, teaching them Christianity, 
and otherwise improving their condition. They scarcely 
imagined that they were planting an institution which 
was to bring so much trouble and controversy into the 
Old Dominion and half the continent of North America. 

The same year a vessel arrived from England bringing 
a very different kind of cargo from that of which we have 
been speaking, namely, a number of young women of good 
character, to serve as wives for the colonists. In order 
to defray the expenses of the journey, each man was 
obliged to purchase his wife for one hundred and twenty 
pounds of tobacco. Afterwards the price of a wife was 
much higher. 

Three or four years passed away without any event 
of striking interest to the colony of Virginia. Popula- 
tion increased rai:)idly, and reports of the prosperity of 
the country reaching the old world, numbers were in- 
duced to emigrate. But the growth of the young 
nation was destined to receive yet another check from 
Indian treachery. All this time the English and Indians 
had been living together as one nation, and so it might 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



69 



have continued but for the circumstances which I will 
now narrate. An Indian called Jack of the Feather, 
from his wearing a remarkable ornament of that kind 
in his head, treacherously murdered an Englishman 
named Morgan ; and Morgan's sons in their turn killed 
him. This coming to the ears of Opechankanough, ho 
determined to make it the excuse for the entire destruc 
tion of the colony. He succeeded in draiving into his 




MASSACUH. OF 1622. 

devilish plot all the tribes of Indians in the country 
around, and a day was fixed upon for the terrible 
outrage. The plantations were now so scattered as to 
make the success of the plan comparatively easy, and it 
would undoubtedly have been complete but for the inter- 
position of a converted Indian, who disclosed the plot to 
a planter in whose employ he was. Upon hearing the 
news, he immediately secured his own house, rode off to 



70 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Jamestown and informed the Governor, who with all 
dispatch took means to prevent the catastrophe. But 
he had not time to inform the more distant planters, who 
were the first suiferers. Soon the ligcht from the burninor 
dwellings showed that the savages were at their work. 
From home to home they went, murdering men, women 
and children, even burning their houses and driving off 
the cattle ; but such was their fear of the English that 
wherever resistance was made they retreated in dismay. 
At length the whole country was aroused, and the mas- 
sacre came to an end, but not before three hundred and 
forty-seven men, women, and children had been killed. 
Great was the distress of the people of England when 
the news of this calamity reached them. Many mourned 
friends among the slain, and others lamented those who, 
though still alive, were in reach of the tomahawk and 
Bcalping-knife. While the excitement was at its height, 
Captain John Smith wrote a letter to the King, repre- 
senting how worse than useless it was any longer to 
trust to the promise of friendship given by the savage 
tribes of Virginia ; he said that they must either be 
driven out of the country or kept in subjection, and 
offered, if the King would give him a hundred and 
thirty-seven men, with ships and money, to undertake 
the accomplishment of one or the other of these objects. 
He had many objections to encounter, but succeeded in 
obtaining what he wanted, and after six years' absence, 
again set sail for Yirginia, but suffered shipwreck 
and was forced to return. One cannot restrain a 
feeling of pity when he reads the account of tho 
Indian tribes being driven back step by step before tho 
sword of their conquerors ; but this feeling should not 
lead us into error. Ho who led the conquering host of 



HISTOKY OF VIRGINIA. 71 

Israel into the promised land, and drove out before them 
the Amorite, the Hittite and the Perizite, willed that 
Christopher Columbus should accomplish the purpose 
for which he was created; and nerved the arm of 
Captain John Smith, so that, like a second Samson, 
fighting under the leadership of the great Jehovah, ho 
paused not until this fair country was wrested from the 
hands of the barbarous savage and given to those who 
worshipped the God of Heaven. 

You have heard much said, and will hear still more, 
about the wrong which has been done to the red man 
by the white man ; but what would have been said if the 
civilized nations of the world had turned their backs 
upon this great continent, with all of its wonderful 
resources, because it was occupied by a few savage 
tribes, who were incapable alike of appreciating their 
j)OSsessions or improving them? God for his own pur- 
poses makes one nation superior to another, and the 
history of the world shows that the inferior always 
gives place to the superior race ; so that the act which 
has driven the red man backward step by stej) is man's, 
yet the purpose was God's, of whom man is but the 
instrument. 

Could the two nations have dwelt together in peace, 
it would have been wrong for the English to have dis- 
j^ossesscd the Indians; but these horrible massacres 
occurring after long seasons of peace and apparent 
friendship, were proof sufficient that no colony could 
prosper so long as the savage tribes were their neigh- 
bors. Had it been possible, it would have been much 
better for the English to have bought the lands from 
the Indian.^, and this was done to some extent; but as 
a general thing they were averse to parting with them, 



72 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

and did not recognize a bargain after it was made ; so 
that as tranquillity was absolutely necessary to the pros- 
perity of the colony, the savage must be removed beyond 
the settlements, that it might be secured. 

In order that you may understand fully this period in 
the history of Yirginia, it is necessary to give you an 
insight into the history of England, as Yirginia was a 
British Province. 

Henry VII. narrowly missed the glory of promoting 
the discovery of the Western World ; as Christopher 
Columbus was actually on his way to England to solicit 
the help of this its sovereign, when his ship was driven 
back by a storm, and he received the aid of the King of 
Spain. 

When the King of England found of what great 
importance this discovery was to be, he lost no time in 
fitting out vessels, and sending the Cabots to follow it 
up by others ; and as I have already told you, they made 
the discovery of the main continent of America. During 
the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England, several inef- 
fectual attemj)ts were made to colonize America. Eliza- 
beth was succeeded by James the Eirst, and he it was 
who granted a charter to the London Company to plant 
a colony in Virginia, and they, as you remember, sent 
out Captain Smith and his companions. Keariy twenty 
years had elapsed since this settlement, and although 
the London Company had spent a great deal of money, 
yet the colony, as we have seen, did not flourish under 
its control as it ought to have done. King James 
seeing this, and foreseeing also tJie great wealth which 
must accrue to the English crown if these colonies were 
successfully established, determined to take the matter 
into his own hands ; he therefore deprived the London 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 73 

Company of its charter. This was certainly an unjust 
act, as the word of a King should never be broken ; 
and it seemed very much like robbery of the merchants 
and other rich men who constituted the London Com- 
pany, just when they might reasonably have expected 
to reap the benefits of the great expenditures they had 
made. Accordingly they otfered ao indignant remon- 
strance against this act of the King; but it did no good^ 
King James remained firm. Now although this was a 
great misfortune for the Com2-)any, yet it was the best 
thing that ever happened to Virginia ; for during the 
eighteen years of the existence of the London Company, 
the colonists were looked upon in no other light than as 
servants of the Company, which had no settled -plan for 
its improvement. JSTo wonder, then, that the Yirginians 
lost sight of the wrong which was done to the London 
Company, and rejoiced in the change that was come to 
themselves. 

King James did not live long enough to complete his 
plans for the government of Virginia, as his death oc- 
curred only one year after he had taken the control of the 
colony from the London Company. His son, Charles the 
First, ascended the throne, and adopting his father's ideas 
about the new country, declared it to belong to the crown 
of England, and directly under his own government. 
He appointed Sir George Yeardly Governor, and em- 
powered him to act in conjunction with a council of 
twelve men, according to such instructions as ho him- 
self should send them from time to time. Thus Virginia 
knew no law but the will of the King. Although this 
was more agreeable to them than the exactions of the 
London Company, yet they soon learned that a change 
of masters did not always bring entire relief from 
oppression. 
4 



74 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Charles the First of England, although beloved by 
many of his subjects, was by others regarded as a 
tyrant. lie was very extravagant in his habits of life, 
and even the revenues of his office were not sufficient 
to meet his wishes ; and in order to raise money, he re- 
sorted to unjust taxation. By his order, the Governor 
and Council of Virginia imposed taxes upon the people, 
deprived them of their property, and in many other 
ways caused them great distress. The favorites of the 
King were sent over, with permission to take for their 
own large tracts of land, and these grants often en- 
croached upon the property of those who had for years 
endured the privations of the life in a new country, and 
who thus saw the results of their labors quietly trans- 
ferred to others. 

Tobacco had long been the staple production of Vir- 
ginia. It had been introduced into England by Sir 
Walter Baleigh, who, you remember, fitted out the 
vessels which brought over the first English colonists 
to Virginia. Some amusing stories are told about 
this nobleman, who was very clever, and possessed a 
great influence over his sovereign mistress. Queen Eliza- 
beth. He had imbibed a great fondness for smoking 
tobacco, and as it was the fashion to follow the example 
of this court favorite in all that he did, the young noble- 
men of the court all adopted the habit. One day Sir 
Walter was smoking his ])ipe, when his servant, who 
had just engaged in his service, entered the room. See- 
ing his master sitting before him, with a volume of smoke 
curling above his head, the man thought that he was 
on fire, and the first thing the nobleman knew was a 
douse of cold water all over him. Another day he was 
smoking in the presence of Queen Elizabeth and the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 75 

ladies of her court, and made a wager that he could 
weigh the smoke which ascended from his pipe and 
curled away until it was lost in the pure atmosphere 
of the room. Elizabeth bet him five broad pieces of 
gold that this could not be done. The nobleman, with 
cool confidence, weighed the pipe of tobacco and then 
proceeded to smoke it ; after he had finished, ho care- 
fully weighed the jfipe with the ashes, which of course 
was lighter than the tobacco had been ; he then tri- 
umphantly declared that the difference between the two 
must be the weight of the smoke which had escaped. 
He had fairly gained his wager, and the Queen laid the 
gold pieces upon his extended palm. Since that time 
the demand for it had steadily increased, and the sale 
of it brought much wealth to the colony. What then 
were the surprise and indignation of the Virginians to 
find a proclamation issued by order of the King, that 
henceforth no tobacco should be sold except to agents 
appointed by himself. This brought down the price, 
deprived the colonies of a great source of wealth, and 
created much dissatisfaction and murmuring amongst 
them. They presented a petition to the King, stating 
a list of their grievances and praying relief; but of this 
he took not the least notice. 

This condition of affairs grew worse instead of better. 
Tyrannical governors were appointed, who executed the 
King's commands with severity, — nay more, who see- 
ing that the Yirginians had no redress, oppressed them 
even beyond their authority, until at last, in a fit of in- 
dignation with one of these governors, Sir John Harvey 
who had succeeded Governor Yeardley, the Virginians 
siczcd him and sent him a prisoner to England, accom- 
panied by two of their number, who were deputed to 



76 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

tell Charles of the cruelty and rapacity with which thia 
Inan discharged his trust. 

This was a high-handed act in the Yirginians, and 
one which Charles regarded as rebellion against his au- 
thority ; he having appointed the Governor, did not 
choose that any one but himself should remove him, so ho 
refused to hear the cause, and sent Harvey back to re- 
sume his position. Notwithstanding this, he seems to 
have recognized the fact that it would be dangerous to 
try the Virginians too far, as not very long after Har- 
vey was removed, and Sir William Berkeley, a man 
every way acceptable to them, was appointed his suc- 
cessor. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. "What years are included in this chapter? 

2. Wliat necessary customs prevailed in the early days of the 

colonies? 
8. What change was now made, and why? 

4. Wno succeeded Powhatan? 

5. Was he a friend to the English? 

6. Relate circumstances of first introduction of slavery Into Vir- 

ginia. 

7. Wliat important cargo arrived the same year? 

8. What was tiie pi ogress of the colony for some years? 

9. What was the first checlc its prosperity received? 

10. I'ehite story of "Jack cf the Feather." 

11. What use did Opechankanough make of this incident? 

12. Give an account of the massacre of 1622. 

13. Wliat prevented its heing a perfect success? 

14. How was the news received in England? 

15. What of Captain Smith? 

16. Was it right lor the English to take the country from the 

Indians? 

17. How should we regard the "whole affair? 

18. Why did not the English buy the lands? 

19. Why Is It necessary to give some account of the history of 

England here? 

20. What circumstances of Interest to America happened during 

the reign of Henry VH. 7 

21. What in the reign of Elizabeth? 

22. Of James 1.? 

23. Why did he take the charter from the London Company? 

24. What was Charles First's course? 

25. Tell the story of Sir Walter Raleigh and the servant. 

26. How did he Wf^igh the smoke? 

27. How did the Virginians incur Charles's displeasure? 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



T7 



CHAPTEE XL 
1644. 

Tho Indians had preserved an tinbroken peace with 
the Virginians of twenty-three years; but their hatred, 
although carefully concealed, was not abated. Laws 
had been made which obliged them to fix their habita- 




OPECHANKANOUGH LEADING HIS WAKRIORS. 

tion at some distance from the white men. Opechan- 
kanough still lived, though he numbered nearly a hun- 
dred years ; and so dccrepid had he become that ho 
could no longer walk, but had to be carried on a litter 
before his warriors ; his eyelids were paralyzed so that 
he could only see when they were raised by his attend- 



78 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

ants, and yet so fierce and implacable was his hatred 
of the whites that he determined to make one more 
effort to rescue the country from their grasp. Gather- 
ing the chiefs of the different tribes together, he 
told them of his plan, and succeeded in inducing them 
to join him, by a promise that they should possess all 
the riches which had been accumulated in the country ; 
and with the help of the arms and ammunition which 
they should gain, would be able to keep possession 
forever of the land so justly their own. The plot 
was well-laid — not a white man Avas to be spared — and 
would have been successful if the Indians had carried 
it out courageously; but the fear of the English was 
too rooted in them to permit this. They struck the 
first blow, and then fled. 

Sir William Berkeley, the Governor, collecting a body 
of men, pursued the fugitives, and overtaking the party 
who were carrying Opechankanough upon his litter, 
captured him, and took him a prisoner to Jamestown. 
He was kindly treated, but remained unconquered by 
age or by misfortunes. The presence of this brave old 
man excited much curiosity in Jamestown, and many 
flocked to look upon the warrior who had given them 
so much trouble during so many years. One day hear^ 
ing footsteps in his room, he caused his eyelids to bo 
lifted, and seeing a crowd of persons before him, sent 
for the Governor and said to him: "Had it been my 
fortune to take Sir "William Berkeley prisoner, I would 
have disdained to make a show of him." He had prob- 
ably forgotten the time when he captured Captain John 
Smith, and led him in triumph through all the Indian 
tribes upon the Chickahominy and neighboring rivers. 
He did not continue long in the possession of the Eng- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 79 

lish. One of his guards was not ashamed to take advan- 
tage of his helplessness, and shot him in the back to 
gratify a j^rivato revenge, lie languished for a while, 
and then died. 

While these events were taking place in Yirginla, 
England was distracted by a civil war. Charles thj 
First had pursued in his own country the same courso 
by which he had oppressed the colonies in America. 

The government of England consists of the King and 
the Parliament. The latter is, like the Congress of the 
United States, made up of representatives from every 
section of the country. These representatives go to 
Parliament to represent the wishes and wants of the 
people from Avhom they come, and thus having the good 
not only of the different portions of the country, but 
of the whole at heart, make laws suitable to the state 
of their affairs. Now, if it should so happen that one 
portion of the country should not send its representa- 
tives to Parliament, you can understand that, having no 
one to speak for it, that portion would be neglected in 
the consultations for the general good. So there was a 
law made that no part of the country should be taxed 
unless it was represented. The American colonies were 
not represented, so according to the laws of England, 
they should not have been taxed. 

There were two other laws which just now had an im- 
portant bearing upon English affairs : 1st, The Parlia- 
ment was always called together by the King, and could 
only meet by his orders. 2d, The King could make 
no laws nor take any step without the consent of Parlia- 
ment. I have told 3'ou that Charles was in the habit of 
raising money by taxing the people. This, Parliamenfc 
would not give its consent to, and so there arose a 



80 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

quarrel between the two heads of the government. 
Charles dissolved the Parliament and refused to call 
another, and went on laying his taxes on the people. 
This continued for a number of years, and everything 
was thrown into Ihe utmost confusion; the people 
groaned under the unjust taxation, and there was no 
Parliament to set thinocs rig-ht. 

Then commenced a war between the King and Parlia- 
ment, which resulted in the dethronement and capture 
of the King, who was afterwards beheaded in front of 
his palace ; and Parliament took the entire control of 
the affairs of government, and placed at their head 
Oliver Cromwell, with the title of Protector. JS^ow, 
though the Virginians had suffered much from the 
unjust taxation of Charles, yet were they loyal to his 
cause, mourned his death, and gave no recognition to 
the Parliamentary government. They were also en- 
couraged in this course by Sir William Berkeley, who 
was a staunch friend of royal authority; and Virginia 
became a refuge for the friends of King Charles Avho 
were obliged to flee from their own country. Two 
years after the King was beheaded. Parliament sent a 
fleet to Virginia, to compel its submission. Sir William 
Berkeley having no means of resisting the fleet, the 
government of Virginia was surrendered without a 
blow. 

The Episcopalian is the Established Church of Eng- 
land, that of Scotland is Presbyterian, and the history 
of these two countries was for many years a struggle 
between the two forms of religion ; the English insist- 
ing that the Scotch Presbyterians should use the 
Prayer-book service, and they fighting for their right 
to worship God according to the old forms of their 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 81 

Church, which they still preserve. While the English 
on the one hand were violently opposed to the 
simple forms of the Church of Scotland, on the other 
hand they hated the gorgeous forms of the Church of 
Eome. We will not enter into a discussion of these 
religious controversies ; suffice it to say that the most 
hitter animosities, the most bloody wars, and the most 
unconquerable prejudices are those which have their 
root in religion ; and so all of these diiferent parties 
hated each other with what they called a "holy hatred," 
and in England the sovereigns were always forced to 
take an oath to preserve the faith of the " Church of 
England." 

J^ow, as "Virginia was colonized by the English, of 
course the Episcopal was the established Church of the 
country; and in no part of the "Mother Country," as 
England was called, was the devotion to the forms of 
this Church greater than in this her colony. 

King Charles, although himself a Protestant, had a 
Catholic wife, and one of his favorites was Lord Balti- 
more, a firm adherent of the Church of Eome ; he find- 
ing that his religion interfered with his possession of 
property in England, obtained a grant of land from the 
King, and came over to Virginia to settle. Hero he 
had the same difficulties to encounter, as the Yiro-inians 
were averse to the very name of Papist. He seems to 
have been a very estimable gentleman, and not at all 
anxious to provoke controversy; so leaving the inhabited 
parts of Yirginia, he proceeded up Chesapeake Bay to its 
head, where he found a beautiful country unoccupied. 
Peturning to England, he obtained Charles's j^ermission 
to settle a Catholic colony upon land that of right 

belonged to Yirginia. This state he called "Maryland," 
4* 



82 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

after Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles; and 
the first city which was laid out was called " Baltimore." 

The Virginians did not give up their right to this 
territory without a struggle ; and it was not until after 
years of controversy that Maryland was recognized as 
a separate State. Maryland, therefore, is the eldest 
daughter of Virginia, being the first State that was 
formed out of South Virginia. 

After the execution of Charles I., an effort was made 
to force the Marylanders to observe the forms of the 
Protestant religion ; and for a short time this was 
successful, and the Eoman Catholics were excluded 
from the pale of religious freedom. But Oliver Crom- 
well, the Lord Protector of England, refused to sanction 
this, but ordered the commissioners " not to busy them- 
selves about religion, but to settle the civil govern- 
ment; " and the Catholics were again restored to their 
rights. 

1 have told you that the Episcopal had been the 
established form of religion in Virginia, as well as in 
Eno-land ; but the contest between Charles the First and 
his Parliament worked a change in both countries. The 
Parliament of England was comjDOsed of members from 
Scotland, who were staunch Presbyterians, whilst those 
from England were, of course, Episcopalians. The 
members who adhered to King Charles were mostly of 
his own faith, and when they were defeated, the Presby- 
terians, or Puritans as tney were called, were in the 
majority; and when they took j^ossession of the gov< 
ernment of Virginia, although the use of the Prayer- 
book was permitted, the Scotch form of worship was 
also sanctioned. 

I have thought it right to call your attention to these 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, 83 

matters concerning religious forms, because the changes 
1 Lave spoken of constitute the first steps toward that 
freedom of religion which has ever been the pride of 
America. 

Oliver Cromwell ruled England for eleven years, and 
they were years of great prosperity and peace ; not only 
for the mother country, but for her colonies in America. 
At the time of his death, the English people were so 
well satisfied with the form of government he had 
inaugurated, that they had no wish ever again to have 
a king to rule over them; and had there been another 
man like Oliver Cromwell, w^ho could have governed 
them wisely and well, they would probably have con- 
tinuea in the same state of mind. But his son, who 
succeeded him, was not capable of filling his place, 
which caused great dissatisfaction ; and many began to 
turn their eyes to Charles, the son of their late king, 
and to think that perhaps they would be happier under 
his government. This ended in his being invited to 
occupy the throne, which invitation he gladly accepted ; 
and at the j)Griod w^hich we have now reached, he 
governea the kingdom under the title of Charles the 
Second. 

About this time Virginia received the title of " Old 
Dominion," which you have doubtless heard. I will 
tell you how. Although she was forced to submit to 
Oliver Cromwell, she never gave up her loyalty to the 
King, and sent a small vessel to Flanders, where Charles, 
the son of the king who had been executed, was an 
exile from his country. This vessel bore an invitation 
from the colony in A''irginia to Charles to come across 
the ocean and set up his throne upon her territory, and 
his loyal subjects there would fight to maintain hini in 



84 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

that position. Charles had accepted the invitation, and 
was actually making preparations to become King of 
Virginia when a second invitation arrived for him from 
his subjects in England to come back to the throne of 
his fathers. This was the most important of the two, 
and 60 he went, and was proclaimed Charles II. of 
England. As soon as he was firmly established upon 
his throne, in gratitude to Virginia for her loyalty, ho 
caused her to be proclaimed an independent member of 
his Empire, which was to consist of England, Scotland, 
Ireland and Virginia, and her coat-of-arms was added 
to those of the other three countries comprised in his 
dominions. 

This was considered a great honor by Virginia, who 
has ever smce retained the title of " The Old Dominion." 

It was during Charles's reign that the famous Naviga- 
tion Laws were passed, which were so long a source of 
trouble and depression to the colony. They forbade that 
Virginia should trade with any nation but England, and 
by thus cutting them off from other markets, compelling 
them to take whatever prices the English might think 
proper to j^ay, besides preventing an exchange of com- 
modities with other countries. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. What date heads this chapter? 

IT, What wjis the conditiou of affairs between the English and 
Indians? 

3. What of Opechankanough? 

4. What plot did lie conceive? 

5. How did he curry it out? 

6. Wiiat was the result? 

7. How did Opechankaoough behave as a prisoner? 

8. Give circumstances of his death. 

9. What constituted the English Government? 

10. In what way was the Parliament a governor of the King? 



IIISTOr.Y OF VIRGINIA. 85 



11. How did a qnarrrl nrise between the King and Parliament? 

12. What was llie r^sulL? 

i:i. What part did Viif,'inia tnko in Iheso pffairs? 

14. "What constituted the church conlroveroies ? 

15. How Ava.s Maryhxnd coiouized ? 

IG. Did Virginia willingly give up the territory? 

17. What was the state of llie churclies after Charles's denth ? 

18. Wliy is it necessary that the student of the History of Vir- 

ginia should understan<i these matters? 

19. What was the condition of England under Tromwell ? 

20. How did Virginia acquire the title of "Old Dominion?" 
31. What oppressive laws were enacted during the reign of 

Charles II. ? & b 



CHAPTER XII. 
1675. 



Sir "William. Berkeley had now been Governor of Yir- 
ginia for some thirty-three years. He had fostered 
Virginia in her infancy, and her 3'outh was developing 
with every promise of continued prosperit}^. 

The Indians had not seriously interfered with the 
whites since the attempted massacre of 1G42, and 
although the friendship of some of the tribes was still 
doubted, yet many of them were embracing the Chris- 
tian faith, and showing a desire to have their children 
educated ; and had the marriage of Pocahontas with an 
Englishman been followed by others of the same sort, 
it was believed by many that the intermingling of the 
races would in one or two generations have wiped out 
all distinctions and differences. Jkit this was not to bo. 
The Avhitc man regarded his dark-skinned neighbor as 
an inferior, and the proud savage winced under this 
knowledge. Underneath a friendly exterior, he still 
cherished a vindictive hatred against those whom ho 
never ceased to regard as usurpers of his property and 
rights. 



8G HISTOrwY OF VIPwGINIA. 

At tlio period of which \vc now speak, this enmity 
between the two races began to show itself. The 
Bettlers on the frontier sent to the Governor, asking his 
protection against the tribes in their neighborhood, who 
were depredating upon them, and murdering those wlio 
ventured unarmed into their midst. 

In imitation of the government of England, the affairs 
in Virginia were regulated by the Governor, and an 
Assembly composed of representatives from all the differ- 
ent counties. The Governor could take no step without 
the consent of the House of Burgesses. At the next 
meeting of the Assembly he presented this petition, and 
the grievances were considered sufficient to justify a 
declaration of war against the Indians. Five hundred 
men were enlisted, and the forts garrisoned. One of 
these forts was on the Kappahannock where Freder- 
icksburg now stands, another on the Mattapony, an- 
other on the Pamunkey, and another at the falls of the 
Appomattox, near the present site of Petersburg. The 
little army was put under the command of Sir Henry 
Chichelcy ; but just as he was about to march against 
the Indians, to the general surprise and dissatisfaction 
of the colony, he was ordered by Sir William Berkeley to 
disband his forces. The continuance of the Indian out- 
rages exasperated the colonists greatly; and they deter- 
iiined if their Governor would not defend them, they 
«rould defend themselves. This determination was 
strengthened by the news of fresh outrages on the fron- 
tiers ; and looking around for some leader qualified to 
direct their operations, tliey found just the man they 
wanted in Nathaniel Bacon, a young gentleman of great 
popularity, who had his residence on the James river, near 
where Kichmond now stands. The Indians had killed his 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 87 

overseer and one of his servants ; for this he had vowed 
vengeance. He was chosen General by the colonists, 
who had risen now to the number of near six hundred 
men, and he at once applied to Sir AYilliam Berkeley for 
his commission. The old Governor Avas secretly out- 
raged at this infringement of his authority, but was afraid 
to resist the demands of this formidable body of men with 
arms in their hands. In order to gain time, he returned 
an evasive reply to Bacon's demand for the commission, 
and sent some of his friends to persuade him to disband 
his forces. The Governor also issued a proclamation, 
declaring all such as should not return to their homes 
within a certain time, rebels and traitors. This looked 
so serious that those who had property, fearing confis- 
cation, deserted Bacon and returned home. Stimulated 
rather than intimidated by the course of the Governor, 
Bacon refused to yield, and with only fifty men, pursued 
his course towards the frontier. Sir William Berkeley, 
collecting a troop of horse, pursued Bacon about forty 
miles, and then returned home. Bacon, with his small 
body of men, proceeded up the river. Many days 
elapsed before they encountered the Indians ; but at 
length they found a fort in which were entrenched a 
party of Mannakins, a tribe which had always been 
friendly to the English. Bacon, calling to them from 
across the river, asked for food, offering to pay them 
liberally. They put him off with promises for three 
days, when Bacon, with some of his nearly starving 
men, waded across the river and again demanded food. 
Just then a shot was fired from the side of the river 
Bacon had just left, and one of his men was killed. The 
idea at once occurred to him that Governor Berkeley 
had concerted a plan with the Indians for the destruction 



88 



HISTORY OF VirwGINIA. 



of his little army, and that they had been kept there 
by false promises for three days until the Governor 
should arrive In a storm of indignation he ordered 
his men to advance, and, without taking time for 
thought, utterly demolished the fort and all that it con- 
tained ; killing a hundred and fifty Indians, and himself 




BACON BEFORE BERKELEY. 

only losing three men. This was a great stain upon 
the character of Bacon, which was otherwise remark- 
able for moderation and clemency; Dut nothing can 
excuse such slaughter. 

He seems to have been shocked at his own act, as, 
after this, he disbanded his men and returned home. 
No immediate steps were taken against liim. He was 
elected to the House of Burgesses from the county of 
Henrico, and going down to take his place in the Assem- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 89 

bly, was arrested and sent a prisoner to Jamestown, 
where he was forced to humble himself and ask pardon 
for his offences, and to give his word of honor that ho 
Avould not again offend. He was permitted to take hi;3 
place in th© House, and was promised a commission to 
<ro airainst the Indians : but hearino- throuo-h a friend 
that Sir William Berkeley was dealing falsely with him, 
and was plotting against his liberty and life, he escaped 
from Jamestown. So great was the indignation felt 
throughout the whole country at the humiliation to 
which ho had been subjected, that in a few days four 
hundred men joined him ; and with this force ho 
marched towards Jamestown, determined to obtain by 
force the commission which had been j^romised him. 
Sir William Berkeley, in alarm, summoned the whole 
militia of the country to defend Jamestown; but could 
only collect one hundred men, all the rest having flocked 
to the standard of Bacon; and half, if not all of these 
which were left, being favorable to his cause. In four 
days Bacon marched into Jamestown, unresisted. No- 
thing could exceed the panic of the House of Burgesses 
at his appearance ; while the citizens rejoiced. 

Drawing up his forces on the green in front of the 
State House, Bacon demanded an interview with the 
Governor. The old man rushed out into the midst of 
the rebels, and baring his breast, cried out in an agitated 
voice four or five times without stopping, " Here ! shoot 
me. Tore God, fair mark, shoot ! " Baeon advanciiig 
courteously towards him, raised his hat as he said, " Xo, 
may it please your Honor, we will not hurt a hair of 
your head or any other man's. In order to save our 
lives from the Indians we are crome for the commission 
which you have so often promised, and now wo will 



90 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

have it! " ind Bacon commenced walking up and down 
excitedly Lcforc his men. Sir Vv'illiam withdrew to tho 
State lloiiue to consult Avith tho Burgesses, and Bacon 
followed him, while a company" of his men with their 
iznns cocked advanced to the windows of the room 
where the Burgesses were assembled, exclaiming 
"We will have it! we will have it!" One of tho 
Burgesses going to the window, Avaved his handker- 
chief, exclaiming " You shall have it 1 you shall have it ! " 
Bacon harangued the Assembly upon the subject of tho 
Indian outrages, the enormous taxes, and other griev- 
ances, and demanded authority to redress at least some 
of them. 

The Burgesses were nearly all favorable to Bacon, but 
only the G-overnor could give the commission, and ho 
was not easily brought to terms. Finding, however, 
that there Avas no escape, he at length signed the com- 
mission, and Bacon and his men departed in triumph. 

They had scarcely left Jamestown before Governor 
Berkeley declared Bacon and his followers rebels and 
traitors, and that his commission was forfeited. Berke- 
ley then repaired to Gloucester county, where he believed 
he had man}^ friends, and summoned all Avho Avcre loyal 
to the King to rally around him and support him against 
these disturbers of the public peace. He met Avith a 
very different response from Avhat he expected. Tho 
men of Gloucester told him that they regarded ]>acon as 
their friend and brother, that he Avas doing their coun- 
try a serA^ce by fighting the Indians, and they had no 
wish to bear arms against him ; Avhen he should really 
become a traitor, the Governor might depend upon them. 
Berkeley gnashed his teeth Avith rage at this rebellion 
against his authority, but stood too much alone to force 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 91 

thoir compliance. Intelligence of these events was con- 
veyed to Bacon by Drummond and Lawrence, two of 
liis friends, and he said bitterly 'twas a hard case that 
while he was hunting wolves which were destroyin<^ 
innocent lambs, that he should thus be hunted in the roai 
like a savage animal. He added, " I am like corn be- 
tween two mill-stones, which will grind me to powdei 
if 1 don't look to it." Betracing his steps, he marched 
towards Gloucester, intending to force Sir William into 
a different course of action ; but the old Governor having 
no idea of risking a personal encounter, calling together 
the few friends who still clung to his fortunes, crossed 
the Bay and took refuge in Accomac county, where ho 
not only hoped to be out of reach of the "rebellion," 
but to find many friends to aid him in his time of need. 
In this latter hope he was disappointed. 

By looking at the map of Virginia you will find that 
Chesapeake Bay runs up into its territoiy, leaving a 
long slip of land on its eastern side, which terminates in 
a peninsula, at the southern extremity of which is Capo 
Charles. When Captain Smith first brought his colony 
to Virginia, this peninsula was inhabited by the Acco- 
mac Indians, and from them it Avas named Accomao 
county ; and here it was that Governor Berkeley ex- 
j^ccted to find hosts of friends. Instead, he soon per- 
ceived that the county was filled with earnest sj'mpa- 
thizers with Bacon, who looked so coldly upon him that 
he was forced to conclude that his presence was endured, 
not desired. 

When the Virginians discovered that Sir William 
Berkeley had withdrawn himself from the State, as Ac- 
comac was regarded in some sort as independent of the 
government of Virginia, they determined to act as 



92 HISTORY OF YIPwGINIA. 

tbonorli he had fibandono! the conduct of affairs. Bacon 
called together the most prominent men of the colony 
at Middle Plantation, where Williamsburg now stands, 
to consult as to the best mode of conduct under the cir- 
cumstances. The period for which the Governor was 
elected was ten j^ears, and the fact that this time had 
long passed was unnoticed so long as Berkeley was re- 
garded as a just and wise ruler, with the good of Vir- 
ginia at heart; but as this was no longer the case, they 
determined to regard his office as vacant, and proceed 
accordingly. 

The meeting was characterized by that enthusiasm 
which such stirring times and critical situations always 
engender. Patriotic speeches were made, in which 
even the women seem to have had a voice. There 
was with Bacon one "William Drummond ; he may 
be regarded as one of the leaders of the rebellion. 
Sarah Drummond, his wife, was also an ardent supporter 
of the cause. She was present at this meeting of the j^a- 
triots, and rose in the Assembly and said, " The child that 
is unborn will have cause to rejoice at this rising of the 
country." A paper, which all signed, was drawn up, 
in which they set forth the grievances which the country 
suffered, the burdensome taxes under which the people 
groaned, the Navigation Act which restricted their 
commerce, and, above all, the horrors of the Indian 
outrages to which they were constantly subjected. 
They spoke of the ardor with which Nathaniel Bacon 
and his followers had striven to redress these last-men- 
tioned grievances, at the hands of the Governor and 
others, and they bound themselves by an oath to join 
Bacon against the common enem}', and to defend him 
against the Governor and his adherents; they even 



HISTORY OP VIRGINIA. 93 

went farther, and declared that inasmuch as Sir AYilliam 
Berkeley had informed the King that the people of Vir- 
ginia were rebels and traitors, and had requested him 
to send troops to subdue them, they were resolved to 
resist those troops, until the King could be rightly in- 
formed as to the true state of the case. After this meet- 
ing, Bacon departed with his gallant army to attack the 
Indians. He destroyed several of their towns, and then 
proceeded to a point where he expected to encounter 
their whole force. "Bacon's Quarter Branch," a little 
stream on the outskirts of the city of Richmond, marks 
this point. He met the Indians at Bloody Eun, another 
stream in the same neighborhood, and here routed them 
so completely that the Indian power in Yirginia was 
forever broken. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. "When did these events take place? 

2. Whut of Sir William Berkeley? 

3. What relations existed betvveeu the Indians and Virginians? 

4. How did the secret animosity of the savage now begin to 

show itself? 

5. In "What respects was the Government of Virginia like that 

of J'.ngland? 

6. How did the Governor act in this crisis, and how was his 

eondnct regarded by the Virginians? 

7. "Whcm did the Virginians choose as their leader, and what of 

liiia? 

8. What did Bacon do, and how did the Governor regard his 

demands? 

9. How did tiie Governor act? 
1<>. What did liacon do? 

11. Relate the circurastancps of the storming of the Indian fort. 

12. Was Bacon excusable lor the massacre? 
!.•$, What did lie do next? 

II. What liippenod aiier liis election to the House of Burgesses? 
15. Tell of his leaving Jamestown. 
IG. What was his next step? 

17. How "Was he received by the Governor and House of Bur- 

gesses ? 

18. Did itie/ comply with his demands? 

19. What course did the Governor adopt when Bacon left James- 

town ? 

20. How did the people of Gloucester receive the Governor? 

21. How did Bacon receive the news of these events ? 



91 HISTORY OF VIKGINIA. 



22. What course did he fake? 
2:j. Where is Accomac Couniy? 

24. What did the Vjrgiuiaus do when they found Berkeley had 

g )ne to Accomao? 

25. Whiit wad the character of the meeting at Middle Planta- 

tion? 

26. Rf^peut some of the sentiments of the people. 

27. What Was Bacon's course ? 



CHAPTEK XIII. 
1075. — Continued. 



Nathaniel Eacon had scarcely accomplished this vic- 
tory over the Indians, before he received intelligence 
which again turned his attention to the enemy in his 
rear. Giles Bland and William Carver, two of Bacon's 
followers, had seized a ship of four guns, which was 
commanded by one Captain Laramore. Putting a 
number of men on board of her, they proceeded down 
James River and into Chesapeake Bay, which they 
crossed, and anchored near Accomac county, in the 
neighborhood of Grovernor Berkeley's refuge. The 
object of this expedition was nominally to intercept 
supplies going to the G-overnor, as Bacon had ordered 
all vessels to be seized which were found thus employed. 
JNow though this was their avowed object, it is not im- 
probable that they intended, should the opportunity 
occur, to take possession of the person of the Governor, 
and by carrying him to Jamestown, force him to make 
a peace which would secure Bacon from the annoyance 
of an enemy in his rear. 

Bland had already seized several vessels, and was 
cruising in the Bay, near the shores of Accomac, when 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 95 

Captain Laramoi'e secretly sent a message to the Gov- 
ernor, that if he would send a sufficient force, under an 
offi.cer of tried fidelity, that he would promise to put 
him in possession of the ship, whose capture could 
easily be followed by that of the entire squadron belong- 
ing to the rebels. This message threw the Governoi 
into a state of great agitation. On the one hand, Lara- 
more was known to be an unprincipled and profligate 
man, and it was not improbable that this very message 
might be part of a plan to decoy him into the hands 
of his enemy ; on the other hand, his condition was 
desperate ; few of the Virginians still clung to him in his 
fallen fortunes, and his personal safety was every day 
becoming more insecure. His spirits rose at the mere 
thought of the great advantages which would accrue to 
his cause were Laramore only true to his promises. 
While he was in this state of indecision, Philip Ludwell, 
one of his most devoted followers, sought an interview 
with him, and begged that he might have the manage- 
ment of the affair. The Governor consented, and Lud- 
well, securing two boats, embarked at midnight, with 
twenty-six of his friends. Laramore had j)romised them 
a certain signal, and they were encouraged by seeing it 
as they neared the fleet. Guided by it, they were soon 
alongside the ship, which they boarded before their 
presence was discovered. Bland and his men, roused 
from their slumbers by the unusual noises on deck, rushed 
from their cabins, only to find themselves prisoners in the 
hands of their foes ; and in a few hours the whole navy 
fell a prey to the Governor's forces. Nothing could exceed 
the delight of Sir William Berkeley at this success, 
which gave him an opportunity to retrieve his depressed 
fortunes. Ho at onco embarked for Jamestown, which 



9G HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

he knew could make no resistance, as Bacon was far 
away on his Indian expedition with the flower of his 
army. AYith the greatest exultation, the Governor took 
possession of his former home, proclaimed Bacon a rebel, 
and commanded his followers to surrender him and dis- 
perse, if they would not themselves be punished as 
traitors. He then called a meeting of the Council, filling 
it up with only such men as he knew to be devoted to 
his cause. 

Inspired by the example of Ludwell, many now 
flocked to Jamestown, anxious to show their zeal for 
the King ; and in a few days Sir William Berkeley 
found himself at the head of an army of near a thousand 
men. This was the news that struck Bacon like an 
electric shock, as he was returning victorious from his 
Indian expedition. In a moment he saw the full danger 
V)f the situation. His followers, under the impression 
that since the defeat of the Indians there could be no 
immediate call for their services, had many of them 
dispersed to their homes ; and Bacon found himself with 
an army of scarcely three hundred men, worn down 
with the fatigues of their Indian campaigns, in want 
of the bare necessaries of life, in the face of an enemy 
more than three times their number, and provided with 
everything necessary for their comfort and success. It 
is no wonder that for a moment the heart of the young 
leader failed him ; but it was only for a moment. 
ISTathaniel Bacon was of too brave a spirit and too san- 
guine a temper for despondency to master him ; indeed 
the very difficulties he had to encounter but stimulated 
his ardor. He made a stirring speech, the eloquence of 
which so fired the enthusiasm of his men that they 
rallied around him, professing their determination to 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



97 



follow him without reinforcements, and never to seek 
repose until he had led them to a victory which 
would be the last blow to the hopes and machinations 
of their tyrants. Their enthusiasm rose when they 
commenced their march ; want and fatigue were all 
forgotten, and they listened only to their indignation 




W^^^^w^^ 



BACON ADDRESSING HIS MEN 



^»^^^;w^<^«:=aKS3aLA 



as they thought of Jamestown, the cradle of the infant 
colony in the new world, now in the hands of the man 
who was plotting against their freedom. The army, as 
it passed through the country, presented the appearance 
of a triumphal procession. In the centre were placed 
their Indian captives, with the arms and plunder which 
had been taken in battle, covered over with flags 



98 HISTORY OF VIRGII^^IA. 

and other gaudy displays of military pomp, by which 
they proclaimed those past achievements upon which 
they based their hope of coming victory. In their front, 
upon a spirited steed, rode a gallant figure, whose ani- 
mated countenance and courageous bearing proclaimed 
him one well qualified to inspire an army to dare great 
deeds and win their way against any odds. This was 
I^athaniel Bacon, whose eloquence chased away despon- 
dency and revived the ardor of that army of Avhich he 
was the idol. 

The sun was just setting when the little army arrived 
in sight of Jamestown. From a neighboring height 
they overlooked the little town, now bright with the 
rays of the departing sun, and again the indignant 
blood flushed the cheeks of the war-worn patriots as 
they saw before them evidences of the presence of their 
hated foe. General Bacon ordered a cannon to be fired 
and trumpets to be sounded in token of defiance ; then 
dismounting, \vlth his own hands he drew the lines for 
entrenchments. In this moment of inaction for the 
weary men, nature was loudly asserting her claims, and 
again the spirit-stirring voice of their leader entreated 
them not to give her hearing until they could rest 
securely without fear of their foes. lie himself set the 
example, and soon all signs of weariness disappeared ; 
their cheery and brave voices rose in mirth and exulta- 
tion, patriotic songs mingled with the plaintive evening 
hymn, as their entrenchments rose like magic beneath 
the full light of an October moon. Their labor ended, 
they fell, with the implements of their work still in 
hand, beneath that master which would no longer be 
resisted, and slept in security behind the breastworks. 

At dawn their labors again commenced. Eefreshed 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 99 

by slumber, they pressed forward eagerly to receive the 
commands of their General. A small party was dis- 
patched to skirmish near the enem^^'s lines, in order to 
ascertain their strength, while the rest of the army 
waited in the rear, as patiently as they could, the onset 
of the Governor's troops. 

I^or was Sir William Berkeley anxious to delay 
matters. A stern old soldier, in whom the courage of 
youth still lived despite his years, he believed that ho 
was but performing his duty to his King in subduing 
this dangerous rebellion against lawful authority; ho 
had nothing to gain by delay, as he did not expect re- 
inforcements unless the King's troops should arrive in 
time from England, which he had no reason to antici- 
pate. Hearing Bacon's army was receiving hourly 
accessions to their numbers, the Governor at once 
mustered his troops, and placed them under the com- 
mand of Ludwell and Beverley, his two staunchest ad- 
herents. They sallied forth ; but soon the difference in 
the spirit of the two armies became apparent. Berkeley's 
army was made up of men picked from the idle and 
dissolute, most of them without a foot of ground they 
could call their own, inspired only by their hopes of gain, 
and the promises of plunder and confiscations which the 
Governor had made to them before they would engage 
in his service. Bacon's men, on the other hand, fought 
for their firesides, and for that liberty of opinion and 
action, the love of which the free life in the wide forests 
of the new world seems to have inspired in the hearts 
of ths colonists since the earliest settlement in Virginia. 

The Governor's troops, under their leaders Ludwell 
and Beverley, advanced towards the entrenchments with 
a considerable show of ardor, but the contest lasted only 



100 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

a few minutes ; for when these paid mercenaries received 
the steady and well-directed fire of Bacon's patriotic 
little army, they ignominiously turned and fled back to 
Jamestown, although their officers implored them with 
tears in their eyes to turn and stand their ground, and 
thus wipe off this stain upon their courage. But such 
arguments had no effect upon the panic-stricken fugi- 
tives ; on they fled, until they reached the protection of 
their batteries and the cannon from their ships. Bacon, 
surprised at this sudden result, suspected it was a trick 
to draw his men into an ambush, and checked the pur- 
suit a short distance from his own lines. Had he not 
done so, the story of this contest might have been ended 
in a few words, as there is little doubt, so great was the 
panic, that if the little army had then pressed forward 
they might have entered Jamestown almost without 
opposition, and Sir William Berkeley and all the other 
officers of the royal government falling into their hands, 
they might have dictated such a peace as would have 
placed the name of Nathaniel Bacon where that of 
George AVashington stands one hundred years later, as 
the Father of Independence. 

Another disappointment awaited Governor Berkeley. 
His army not only retreated disgracefully to Jamestown, 
but threw down their arms, and declared their determi- 
nation never to take them up again. In vain were 
threats of punishment, in vain were promises of reward; 
they were too much in the majority to fear the former, 
and the rewards were nothing in comparison to the 
danger to their miserable lives. 

Thus the Governor found himself in hourly expecta- 
tion of an assault from the enemy, with only twenty 
men upon whom he could rely. Even then the proud 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 101 

old man, goaded by his misfortunes into recklessness, 
would have remained to meet his fate, and if need be 
have died at his post rather than retreat from it ; but 
the arguments of his friends convinced him that it 
would bo better to await at a distance another smile from 
that fortune which had been so fickle to him. At mid- 
night he and the few friends who remained to him, 
silently and sadly embarked upon the boats which, under 
cover of the night, had drawn in to the shore for the pur 
pose, taking with them everything of value, and the fleet 
dropped quietly down the river to await further results. 

The astonishment of Bacon and his men, as these events 
disclosed themselves on the following morning, may 
be better imagined than described They could scarce 
believe the evidence of their senses as they looked upon 
the deserted city, and missed first the sentinel from his 
post and the mustering soldier from the streets; the 
drum and the trumpet were silent, and missing all 
other signs of an army of occupation, they drew nearer 
to interpret for themselves the meaning of the strange 
stillness. They found the desolation complete; only two 
or three frightened inhabitants crept from the houses 
to give them welcome, and to tell to their wondering 
audience the events of the past few hours. 

Kot only was the city deserted, but the houses were 
stripped of everything of value they contained which 
could be removed, and what could not be carried ofi" 
was wantonly thrown into the river. The enraged and 
disappointed patriots stood with burning cheeks and 
flashing eyes upon their desolated hearth-stones ; while 
the fleet lay within their sight, but far out of their reach, 
down the river, calmly awaiting their departure in order 
that Berkeley might return and occupy the city. 



102 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



But in this expectation ho too was doomed to disap- 
pointment. " If Jamestown no longer affords a shelter 
for true Yirginians it shall never be a harbor for her 
enemies," said General Bacon, in burning words to his 
Boldiers. As usual, they caught the inspiration from his 
lips, and soon were seen hurrying with flaming torches 




BURNING OF JAMESTOWN. 



from house to house. Many a hardy soldier stood upon 
his own hearth-stone with the fire-brand in his hand 
and a tear in his eye, as the thought of wife and child 
and homely joys rose before his mental vision; and then 
as the flags of the fleet waving in the distance betrayed 
the presence of his enemy, and he thought of the 
oppressor of his country finding shelter under his roof, 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 103 

bo cast down the torch and turned away, leaving it to do 
its work. Even the old church was not spared, whero 
for nearly a hundred years prayers had ascended to God. 
Sir William Berkeley viewed with astonishment and 
indignation this last desperate resort of a determined 
people, and vowed vengeance against the authors of tht* 
outrage. 



Questions for Examination. 



1. "What is the date of the events contained In this chapter? 

2. What news met liacou when returning Irom. the conques 

of tlie Indians? 

3. What did Bland and Carver intend to do? 

4. Wliat was the cause of the failure of their scheme? 

5. Tell of the capture of Bland and Carver. 

6. }lo\v did tho Governor receive liis success? 

7. Kelate circumstances connected with his return to Jamer 

town. 

8. What was Bacon's condition when he heard the news? 

9. What steps did lie take ? 

10. How was his speech received ? 

11. 'iell of the march to Jamestown. 

12. Of tbeir arrival at that place. 

13. Of the prenarafious lor battle. 
1-1. Of the fi^ht ilsf'lf. 

15. Of the retreat of the vanquished. 

1<>. What happened the next day? 

17. What condition ot things did Bacon and his men find wUen 

they entered Jamestown ? 

18. What course did they take ? 



CHAPTEE Xiy. 
1676. 



Sir "William Berkeley having now no place in which to 
organize his government, returned to Accomac; and 
Bacon dismissed the groat hody of his followers, after 
engaging them to join him upon the first news of dis- 



104 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

turbance to the public tranquillity, nor did he relax for 
one instant his eftbrts to keep alive their enthusiasm. 
He went from place to place, inspiring all by his zeal 
and example ; he kept before the people the fact that 
although all seemed secure, yet was danger close at hand. 
Sir William Berkeley had transmitted to England an ac- 
count of the rebellion, which he represented as wide- 
spread and dangerous, and entreated the King to send a 
sufficient force to restore order. The answer to this 
appeal was daily expected, and Bacon was determined 
to resist any army that should be sent against him. 
Though disbanded, every man was a soldier, prepared to 
defend with his life, the cause which was the cause of all 
Virginians. It is always a great mistake to place the 
issue of an important undertaking upon the life of a 
single individual, and never was this more apparent 
than in the history of Bacon's rebellion, for though he 
had many brave officers, they were but the creatures of 
his will, incapable of acting alone. 

In the prosecution of his plans, Bacon visited all the 
different military posts, undergoing great fatigue, which, 
added to a cold he had contracted in the trenches at 
Jamestown, developed a fatal disease. But he did not 
permit his exertions to abate on account of his illness, 
though its effects were plainly visible. At length, how- 
ever, he was obliged to yield to a will stronger than his 
own, and died at the residence of Doctor Pate, in Glou- 
cester county, in the thirty-first year of his age. 

The death of Bacon was the knell of the cause for 
which he sacrificed himself He left none to fill his 
place. Two of his captains, Ingram and AYalklatc, at- 
tempted it, but under their leadership the army melted 
away, and as their fortunes declined those of Berkeley 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 105 

revived. Bacon's followers were hunted down like Avild 
animals. Among the first captives was Thomas Hans- 
ford, one of Bacon's warmest friends. After undergoing 
the mere form of a trial, he was hurried away to the 
gibhet. His heroic spirit did not quail ; he only im- 
plored passionately that he might be shot like a soldier, 
and not die on the gallows like a criminal ; but he was 
told that he was not a soldier but a traitor. He met 
his fate bravely, calling upon all persons present to wit- 
ness that he had simply done his duty in taking up 
arms against oppression, and that he gave up his life 
willingly for his country. He was the first Yirginian 
who suffered death upon the gallows. 

This was but the beginning of the revenge which 
Berkeley visited upon his victims. It is said that such 
was his rage against Bacon, that he made search for his 
body, that he might dishonor him dead who had defied 
him while living. But his grave was never found ; his 
faithful friends religiously preserved his dust from 
outrage. 

As fast as the prisoners were brought in they were 
led to execution. One Captain Wilford made his appear- 
ance before the Grovernor with his wife by his side ; she 
knelt at his feet, and entreated that if one must die that 
she mificht be executed, since she had encouraired her 
husband to join the rebellion ; but the demon of revenge 
had too entirely hardened the heart of Sir William 
Berkeley for this touching appeal to reach it ; he 
answered her with insults too gross to be repeated. 
Wilford had lost an eye in battle, and when allusion was 
made to it, he answered bitterly that it made no differ- 
ence, for he had no doubt but that Governor Berke- 
ley would give him a guide to the gallows. This 



lOG 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



proved too true, as tlie unhappy young man was led out 
from the presence of his wife to execution. 

"When William Drummond was captured, the passion- 
ate old Governor seemed to lose even the control of 
common decency in his vindictive triumph. lie bent 




BERKELEY WELCOMING DRDMMOND. 

low before him, with affected courtesy, as he said mock- 
ingly, " Mr. Drummond, j^ou are very welcome. I am 
more glad to see you than any other man in Virginia ; 
'fore God ! you shall hang in half an hour ; " and he was 
hung as soon as the gallows could be prepared for him. 
Nor did Berkeley's fiendish malignity end here ; for he 
pursued the wife of Drummond with his persecutions, 
confiscated her property, and turned herself and five 
children out to starve ; nay, he would have brought her 



IIISTOrwY OF VIRGINIA. 107 

to a felon's death had not an order from the Kino* come 

O 

in time to save her. 

How fiir Berkeley's j)a8sions would have carried him 
is not known, for commissioners arrived, appointed by 
the King to inquire into the condition of things, and 
many pardons Avero issued ; but even these, in somo 
instances, Berkeley dared to set aside ; as in the case 
of Giles Bland, who, you remember, was captured on the 
coast of Accomac, and had ever since been in irons. 
His friends had sent over to the King, who granted him 
a special pardon, and with this in his pocket, the Gov- 
ernor sent him to the gallows. He met his fate with 
conscious innocence, and his name was afterwards one 
of the most distinguished in the annals of American 
freedom. 

Berkeley's thirst for blood seemed to Increase with 
what it fed on, and as one of the Burgesses said, '' Ho 
would have hanged half the country if he had been let 
alone." Charles II., King of England, Avhose father you 
remember perished on the scaffold, and who himself had 
received, both during his exile and after his restoration, 
many gratifying proofs of the loyalty of his subjects in 
Yiririnia, was horror-stricken when the news of Ber- 
kelcy's severity reached him. He said, " That old fool 
has hanged more men in that naked country than I 
have done here for the murder of my father." 

To such an extent did he carry his revenge that ho 
succeeded in disgusting even the House of Burgesses, 
which wa-s made up of creatures too much like himself to 
be easily touched with compassion. They voted an ad- 
dress imploring him not to shed anymore blood, as "none 
could toll how, where or when it would terminate." 
When his active cruelty was oyer Sir William Berkeley 



108 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

had time to note the change of feeling towards him, in 
this people over whom he had ruled so acceptably for 
nearly forty years, and whose love and veneration for 
him had turned to detestation and abhorrence. Charles 
II., in order to put an end to these scenes of blood, sent 
over commissioners to Virginia, and these issued a 
general invitation to all to come and state their griev- 
ances. At once the tribunal was crowded with sufferers 
from Berkeley's cruelty. The widows and orphans of 
those who had been executed came weeping and invok- 
ing justice upon the head of the tyrant ; men whose 
lives had been spared only to see all of their property 
confiscated, bejTG-ed for bread for their wives and chil- 
dren. The Commissioners applied to the Governor for 
the restoration of the property of these unfortunates, 
but he had either taken it for his own use or bestowed 
it upon his favorites, and refused to give it up. 

That best of all books, the Bible, says, " Be sure your 
sin will find you out," and this was verified in the case 
of Sir William Berkeley, who, though he affected to 
despise the opinion of the people, could not help being 
mortified at the course the Commissioners were taking 
by the order of the King, and which showed such undis- 
guised disapproval of his conduct and disregard for his 
wishes. At length he resolved to go to England, and 
make a statement of his position to his Majesty, which 
he felt sure would reinstate him in the royal favor. 
But in this he was mistaken ; if possible, he found fewer 
friends in Enii'land than he had left in America. The 
King positively refused to receive him at court, and the 
proud old man, unable to support the mortification of 
this blow, died a short time after his arrival in England. 

He was succeeded in the government of Yirginia by 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 109 

Herbert Jeffries, who exerted himself wisely and well 
to restore peace to the country. He made a treaty with 
the Indians of the west, which unhappily they did not 
regard for any length of time. Sir Herbert Jeffries did 
not live long to see the fruits of his wise government; 
he was succeeded by Sir Henry Chicheley, who took 
active measures against the encroachments of the In- 
dians, causing forts to be erected in various unprotected 
places, and in many other ways he ingratiated himself 
into the respect and affection of the people. 

Very different was the course of Lord Culpeper, his 
successor. At first he was so popular that the people 
voluntarily increased his salary, and in other ways 
gratified his desire for wealth ; but it very soon became 
evident that the love of gain was the ruling passion of 
his heart, and to this the advantage of the people over 
whom he ruled must give way. He received an immense 
grant of land from the King, in what is known as the 
Northern Neck of Yirginia, which embraced the territory 
lying between the Bappahannock and Potomac rivers, 
back as far as the Blue Ridge Mountains. When Lord 
Culpeper succeeded in amassing great wealth he had 
no idea of remaining in the forests of a new country, 
where he could have no enjoyment of it ; so leaving Sir 
Henry Chicheley as his deputy, he returned to England, 
w^here ho lived in great luxury at Court, w^ithout spend- 
ing many thoughts upon his deserted people. 

After his departure commenced what is known as the 
Tobacco Rebellion. I have told you before that from 
the time of its first settlement, tobacco was regarded as 
the most valuable production of Virginia soil. Nearly 
a hundred years had now passed away since Sir "Walter 
Raleigh r o cleverly weighed the smoke from his jiipe of 



110 HISTORY OP VIRGINIA 



tobacco, and received the broad gold pieces from the hand 
of Queen Elizabeth of England, and ever since that time 
the demand for the fragrant weed had been on the 
increase. For a long time it was used as money by the 
colonists. Articles, instead of being valued at bo many 
dollars, were sold for so many pounds of tobacco; and it 
would have looked very strangely to you, I suppose 
you will think, if you could have seen the wives and 
daughters of the old Virginia planters going into James- 
town on their shopping expeditions, with their wagon- 
load of tobacco behind them, and 2)urchasing rich silks, 
linens and laces at so much tobacco a yard. Kor was 
this all : the preachers, the lawyers, the doctors, were 
all paid for their services in tobacco. Now this did very 
well at first, but at length a change became necessary. 
You are all old enough to have observed the importance 
which the world places upon the possession of money. 
Some twenty years or more ago news was brought to 
this country of great discoveries of gold in California, 
and the same fever pervaded the land which almost 
destroyed Captain Smith's colony when they thought 
they had found gold in the forest-stream; the farmer 
left his plough and the mechanic his tools, the physician 
his ]3atients and the lawyer his courts, and all flocked to 
the gold-fields of California, and dug in the earth for 
the wealth which was more sure if more slow at 
home. The very spirit which actuated men in these 
more modern times, led the Virginians, in the days of 
which we are now speaking, to devote the largest part 
of their time and land to raising this great source of 
wealth. Laws at leno-th had to be made restrictin«r the 
raising of tobacco, and forcing the planters to plant corn 
and other crops necessary to their subsistence ; and at 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. Ill 

last to a great degree the custom of using it in com- 
merce was done away with, though the salaries of the 
ministers, and some other matters of the same nature, 
were still and for many years after paid in tobacco. 

Notwithstanding this apparent decrease in the use 
of tobacco it was still a great source of wealth, and the 
people were permitted to plant as much of it as they 
pleased. Vessels came from England, and returned 
loaded with the precious weed. For many years after 
the settlement of Yirginia, Jamestown was the only 
town in the State ; and after it was burned, the necessity 
of some place where trade could be carried on was 
severely felt ; and in order to facilitate the building of 
towns, the House of Burgesses passed a law that certain 
places along the river banks should be selected as the 
sites for future cities ; and in order to force the people 
to congregate on these particular points, the law pro- 
vided that all ships which came to Yirginia for purposes 
of trade should receive their cargoes only at the desig- 
nated places, instead of being loaded as had heretofore 
been done at the plantations upon the river — the idea 
being that the planters would thus be compelled to build 
warehouses and other conveniences for storing their 
crops, and so the foundation of the desired cities would 
be laid. 

Now this plan may have been wisely conceived and 
very successful if it could only have been carried out, 
but this was the difficulty ; and the very effort to force 
compliance with an inconvenient and unpopular law 
was near producing another rebellion. The planters 
living upon the rivers thought it a hard case that in- 
stead of loading the vessels at their own doors, that 
they should have the great inconvenience and expense 



112 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

of transporting their crops to these imaginary cities. 
The vessels would often go up to the designated points, 
find no cargo ready for them, have to wait at great 
expense until it could be hauled from considerable 
distances, and, as it often haj^pened, have to return 
home empty. Out of these inconveniences grew a dis- 
regard of the law. The planters would load, and the 
captains of vessels would receive their cargoes where it 
was most convenient ; the high-spirited Virginians re- 
fusing to submit to what they considered an innovation 
of their rights. 

In Gloucester county some of the planters, who were 
forcibly prevented from disposing of their tobacco as 
they pleased, fell to work and destroyed their entire 
crop ; and their example was followed by many others. 
This looked like open rebellion. The Assembly which 
had made the law, frightened at the storm which they 
had raised and found themselves unable to still, in their 
dilemma appealed to the King, who ordered Lord Cul- 
peper back to quell the disturbance. His Lordship 
obeyed, in no amiable mood at being thus forced to 
leave the luxuries of the English Court to contend with 
rebels in the forests of Virginia. He determined to end 
his exile and the revolt as speedily as possible. His 
measures were sufficiently vigorous, as the jails were 
soon filled with prisoners, and a penalty of death was 
proclaimed against all "j)lant cutters." Six men were 
actually executed for this trifling misdemeanor. This 
summary mode of proceeding had the desired effect, 
and the planters submitted to what they could not cure. 
Thus ended the Tobacco Eebellion. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 113 



Questions for Examination. 

1. What year heads this chapter ? 

2. Wliat sad event occurred to put a stop to the war? 

3. How did Governor Berkeley behave ? 

4. Who was the first Virginiau who died on the gallows? 

5. Kehite the circumstances, 

6. Did Berkeley's cruelty end here? 

7. Kehxte the story of Captain Wilford. 

8. Of William Drummoud and his wife. 

9. Of Giles Bland. 

10. How did the Burgesses regard Berkeley's conduct? 

11. What did King (Jliarles say about it? 

12. What dill the Burgesses do? 

l:i. What steps did the King take to stop bloodshed? 

11. What condition of aflfairs did the Commissioners find? 

15. What became of Berkeley ? 

1«. Who succeeded him and what Is related of his government? 

17. What of Sir Henry Chicheiey ? 

IS. What of Lord Culpeper? 

19. Relate circumstances which had made tobacco so largely- 

cultivated in Virginia. 

20. What steps were taken to restrict its cultivation? 

21. Was it still valuable after it ceased to be used as money? 

22. How did the government try to force the building of towns? 

23. What eflect did it have ? 

24. Relate circumstances of the "Tobacco Rebellion." 

25. How was it quelled ? 



CHAPTEK XY. 
168^-1723. 



After the Tobacco Eebellion affairs in Yirginia resumed 
their old routine, and for the next twenty years there 
are few incidents in the history of the colony which 
deserve more than a casual glance. Lord Howard, of 
Effingham, succeeded Lord Culpeper as Governor of 
Yirginia, and it was during his term of office that hos- 
tilities with the Indians were^commenccd. This was 
followed speedily by a treaty of peace with the tribes 
known as the Five Nations, who came from Avhat is now 
the western part of tbo State of JSTew York: These 
were the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onandagas, the 
Cayugas, and the Senecas j and if you will glance at the 



114 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

map of Kew York, you will find their names in those 
of the cities and lakes in that vicinity. These Indians 
were generally esteemed to be the most powerful and 
dangerous tribes in North America. In war they were 
terrific, and united the cunning and sagacity of the 
savage to the skill of civilized nations. Even the Eng- 
lish, with all their knowledge of the art of war, 
found it difficult to deal with them, and the rumor of 
their advance was always received with horror and 
consternation. 

A writer of the times, in describing them, says: 
" They advanced like foxes, attacked like lions, and 
retreated like birds." They had subdued all other 
Indian tribes and united them with themselves, and 
were extending their power even into southern Vir- 
ginia. 

The colonies of the difi'erent States became alarmed, 
and Governor Howard, of Virginia, and Governor Don- 
gan, of JSTew York, met at Albany the chiefs of these 
several tribes, and after complaining of their aggres- 
sions and acts of cruelty, threatened to retaliate, unless 
they would make a firm treaty of peace with the whites, 
but if they would consent to the terms laid down in 
this treaty, the chain of friendship was to be brightened 
and made more strong and lasting than ever. An orator 
of the Mohawks replied in a speech full of the figures 
for Avhich their language is remarkable. He promised 
that the peace between themselves and the English 
should be firmly kept; and then, after the manner of 
their people, they buried five axes, in token of the 
burial of strife ; after which all the Indian tribes united 
in singing the peace-song, with demonstrations of much 
joy, and thanked the Governor of New York for his 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



115 



mediation with the Governor of Virginia in their 
behalf. 

The following year there was another change in the 
government of England. Charles the Second died, and 
was succeeded by his brother, James the Second — the 
first Boman Catholic sovereign who had sat upon tha 




TREATY OF FIVE NATIONS. 

English throne since Mary, the sister of Queen Eliza- 
both. For reasons which have no bearing upon the 
history of Virginia, the English expelled him from tho 
throne after he had been king only two and a half 
years. lie was succeeded by William, Prince of 
Orange, and his wife Mary, who took possession of tho 
throne under the title of "William and Mary." Tho 



116 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



next year Francis Nicholson was appointed Governor 
of Virginia. During his term of service, the King and 
Queen of England granted to Virginia a charter for the 
establishment of a college in that State. This was a 
very important advance in the interests of Virginia. It 
had heretofore been the custom to send the young men 
of the colony to England to be educated; but Governor 
Nicholson, npon his introduction into office, suggested 
the idea of a Virginia college, and put his own signature 
at the head ©f a subscription paper for the purpose. In 
a very little time, with the assistance of some merchants 
in London, twenty-five hundred pounds were subscribed, 
and the Virginia Assembly sent "Parson Blair" to Eng- 
land to solicit a charter from the King. He was success- 
ful, and the foundation of the college was laid at Middle 
Plantation, where, you remember, Bacon and his men 
held their deliberations after the burning of Jamestown. 
The town was called Williamsburg, in honor of the 
King, and the nev.iy-founded college was called William 
and J\Iary. The streets of the city were laid out so as 
to form the letters W and M, a handsome compliment to 
the joint sovereigns of England, but a most inconvenient 
device for a city. 

Mr. Blair was appointed the first president of the 
college, which became the pride of Virginia. It is the 
oldest college in the United States, except Harvard in 
Massachusetts. The seat of government was removed 
to Williamsburg, which thus became the centre, not 
only of learning, but of the wealth and fashion of Vir- 
ginia. In 1706 the college was burned to the ground, 
and many years elapsed before it was rebuilt. 

Years now rolled quietly away, marking only increased 
prosperity to Virginia. William and Mary passed from 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 117 

an earthly throne to give an account of their steward- 
ship in the courts of heaven, and Anne, the sister of 
jMary, succeeded her. It was during her reign that a 
gentleman was appointed Governor whose name Vir- 
ginia will always cherish with gratitude. Alexander 
Spottswood, a Scotchman, who had distinguished him- 
self in the British army, left the hardships and honors 
of the battlefield to fill the office of chief executive in 
Virginia. He did more for the improvement of the 
State than any of his predecessors. Contemplating the 
wide-spread territory before him, his imagination fired 
at the thought of broad lands, mountains and rivers 
which were as yet unexplored, and the desire filled him 
to signalize his term of service by extending his know- 
ledge of this great country. Accordingly he formed a 
scheme for the furtherance of his design, presented him- 
self before the G-eneral Assembly of Virginia, and de- 
sired their assistance in his plan, which was to head an 
expedition across the "Appalachian chain of moun- 
tains," as the AUeghanies were then called. After some 
discussion, he succeeded in obtaining their consent; and 
they also promised to furnish him with ample means to 
carry out his design. As soon as it became known that 
Governor Spottswood was organizing an expedition for 
the pur2)0se of new discoveries, he had no difficulty in 
filling up the ranks of his little army; and soon a gal- 
lant array of cavaliers presented themselves, eager to 
share in an enterprise which promised so much variety, 
honor, and increase of wealth, with enough sprinkling 
of danger to make it all the more attractive to the bold 
Virginians. The hardiest horses in the country were 
pressed into service, and soon the streets of Williams- 
burg preseivted a busy scene as the gay cavalcade, with 



118 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



the Governor at its head, started forth with their faces 
turned towards the distant mountains. 

In our day, when genius and energy have cut their 
way through these very mountains, have made the 
sea their servant, and have even linked continents 
together with the aid of the telegraphic wire, it is 
difficult to realize what a formidable undertaking it was 
to attempt the passage of the mountains, which, for the 
hundred and more 3-ears which had elapsed since the first 
settlement of Virginia, had reared their lofty forms as a 
barrier to the progress of the white man. It seemed 
like an attempt to conquer JN'ature itself; but the ro- 
mance and peril of the attempt acted as a stimulus to 
the Governor and his followers, who fondly imagined 
that their names would go down to j^osterity side by 
side with that of the great Alexander. They crossed 
the York river, and started merrily uj^on their journey ; 
stoj^ping at night with friends upon the route, and 
gathering recruits for their little army as they went 
along. Upon the Eappahannock, not far from where 
Fredericksburg now stands, they encamped for some 
days, and regaled themselves with the abundant pro- 
.visions which had been provided by the loving house- 
wives at home, and brought with the party upon pack- 
horses. We can well imagine the merry encampment, 
where great fires were kindled, and venison and bear's 
meat roasted for the luxurious repast, and toasts drank, 
and the laugh, the song and the jest awoke new echoes 
in those forest haunts. So leisurely did they proceed 
that more than a month elapsed before they commenced 
the toilsome ascent of the mountains. Think of them 
as they wound along through the trackless country 
which the foot of the white man was treading for the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



119 



first time ; now over rocks and chasms, now pausing to 
catch through the openings in the trees a glimpse of 
the country beyond, and now mingling their voices with 
the sound of the trumpet that rang for the first time 
through these old mountains. When at length they 




KNIGHTS OF THE HORSE-SHOE PKINKING THE KING'S HEALTH. 

gained the summit, their ecstasy was too deep foi 
Avords ; they fairly drank into their souls the beauty 
of the panorama which lay spread before them. The 
glorious valley of Virginia, smiling in the freshness of 
early summer, met their gaze ; the streams, as if wearied 
with their dash down the mountain sides, wound quietly 



120 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, 

and calmly along like Bilver threads until they were 
lost in the misty distance. Upon the top of the moun- 
tain they drank the health of His Majesty, and called 
it Mount George, in honor of him. The next peak they 
named Mount Alexander, after the Governor. Descend- 
ing the mountain, they crossed the Shenandoah river, 
which they playfully named Euphrates. On its banks 
they rested for some hours, or beguiled the time by hunt- 
ing, fishing and feasting. Some carved their names 
on the trees; seme, more ambitious, climbed the steep 
sides of the rocks, and tried to carve imperishable 
memorials upon their granite surfaces ; and the Gover- 
nor wrote upon a sheet of paper, " I take possession 
of this country in the name of His Majesty King 
George of England," and signing his name upon it, 
enclosed it in a bottle and buried it on the banks of the 
river. I never heard that this interesting record of the 
journey had been found, and in all probability it still 
remains buried to this day. Turning their faces home- 
wards, they reached Williamsburg in safety, after an ab- 
sence of about six weeks, and dispersing to their different 
habitations, recounted to eager listeners their adven- 
tures in this the first expedition across the Blue Eidge 
mountains of Yirginia. 

The Virginians had been accustomed to ride their 
horses unshod, the soft sandy soil of the lowlands re- 
quiring no protection for the horse's hoofs ; but for the 
trip to the mountains they had provided a quantity 
of horse-shoes. In allusion to this circumstance, and 
as a memorial of the expedition, the Governor, upon 
his return, gave to each of his companions a miniature 
golden horse-shoe, to be worn upon the breast. King 
George, when ho heard of the expedition, bestowed 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 121 

upon Spottswood the honors of knighthood, and also 
presented him with a golden horse-shoe set with jewels, 
which is said to be still in possession of one of his des- 
cendants. All who took part in the expedition were 
recognized by the title of "Knights of the Horse-shoe." 

Governor Spottswood's administration was marked 
by the steady prosperity of Virginia ; he neglected 
nothin<r which could minister to this end. He at- 
tempted what was neglected by most of the other 
governors, namely, the improvement of the Indians. 
He sent good men among them to teach them the arts of 
civilization, and even had some of the Indian boys 
admitted to William and Mary College, to be instructed 
in whatever would conduce to their advancement. 

Durins: his administration the shores of America 
were infested with pirates, who captured vessels going 
to and from the country, and perpetrated acts of the 
most terrible ferocity. One of the most distinguished 
of these pirates was known as Blackbeard, and his 
ferocity made him the terror of the seas. The stories 
that are told of this fiend in human form almost exceed 
belief. He is said, on one occasion, to have dressed up 
his crew to personate devils, and he himself represented 
the chief fiend. 

Many unavailing efforts were made to capture Black- 
beard ; Governor Spottswood offered large rewards for 
his person living or dead. Hearing definitely of his 
whereabouts, Lieutenant Maynard, commander of a 
small English ship-of-war, started in search of him. He 
found him lying in wait at one of the inlets to Pimlico 
Sound, and at once bore down upon him without giving 
him time to escape. Blackboard discovering the ship 
of war close to him,madcpreparationsfor battle, placed 
6 



122 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

one of his men at the powder magazine with orders to 
blow it up if there was danger of capture, and drank 
brandy until he was ready for any reckless deed what- 
soever ; and so the fight began. A terrible one it was, 
and the pirate was defeated; the wretch, covered with 
wounds, waited until the English boarded his vessel, and 
then gave orders to blow up the magazine, intending 
that his captors should share his destruction. But ho 
was disappointed ; the courage of his man failed, and ho 
throw down the fatal match. Blackboard sprang up, his 
face distorted with anger, cocked his pistol and aimed it 
at the delinquent, but before he could fire it off he fell 
back on the deck and expired. 

Although Governor Spottswood was so much beloved 
by the people of Yirginia, yet ho foil under the dis- 
pleasure of the British Ministry, who did all they could 
to thwart his plans for the good of the State, and at 
lontrth removed him from ofiice. Ho retired to his 
country-seat in the county which was called in his 
honor "Spottsylvania," and there dispensed a generous 
hospitality, of which some pleasant stories are told. An 
old friend of his. Colonel William Byrd, who went to 
visit him, describes the town of Germanna, which ho 
eays consists ''of Colonel Spotswood's enchanted castle 
on one side of the street and a baker's dozen of ruinous 
tenements on the other side ; thero was also a chapel 
about a bow's-shot from the Governor's house, at the 
end of an avenue of cherry trees." When ho arrived 
ho found only Mrs. Spottswood at home. Sbo received 
him with a gracious smile, and took him into the dining- 
room, which amongst other handsome furniture con- 
tained several costly mirrors, and where also the hospi- 
table tea-tablo was laid to which she invited her visitor. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 123 

Mrs. Spott8wood had amused herself in her solitude by 
taming a variety of animals, among them a brace of 
deer, which ran familiarly about the house. One of 
them coming to the door to stare at the visitor, caught 
sight of his own figure in the mirror opposite, and mis- 
taking it for one of his companions, sprang over the tea 
table, shattered the glass into a thousand pieces, then 
fell back upon the table, making a terrible clatter 
amongst the china and silver, and frightening the guest 
considerably ; but Colonel Eyrd adds, after telling the 
story, that it was worth all the lost china to see the 
moderation and good-humor with which the hostess boro 
this disaster. 

In the evening the old Governor came in, and they 
spent the hours until bed-time in recounting old stories, 
of which probably the expedition across the mountains 
formed part. 

The next morning they visited his iron founderies, of 
which he was very proud. 

In this peaceful retreat Governor Spottswood closed 
his life in the year 1739. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. What Is the date of the550 events? 

2. Who Was Governor of Virginia after Lord Culpeper ? 

3. What important treaty did he assist in rnakiuti? 

4. Who were the Five Nations, and where did they live? 

5. How do the writers of the times describe theui ? 

6. Tfll of Iho treaty. 

7. What Imijortaut changes took place in the English Govern- 

men t ? 

8. Who did King William appoint Governor of Virginia? 

9. What important j)rivilege did ho solicit for Virginia? 

10. What steps did lie lake to accomplisli his purpose? 

1 1. With what success ? 

12. Tell of the foundation and name of the new college. 
l:». What happened to it in 170(5? 

14. Who was appointed. Governor by Queen Anne? 



124 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



15. What of him? 

16. What scheme did he devise? 

17. What steps did lie talie for accomplishing his purpose 7 
IS. IIow does the attempt loolc to us uow, andwhy? 

19. Teli of the journey. 

20. What names did they give the mountain peaks? 

21. Tell the rest of the Btory. 

22. What were tlie adventurers called, and why ? 

23. Wliat other improvements did Governor fSpottswood under- 

take ? 

24. What infested the shores of Virginia? 
2.>. Wlio w:i3 Black eard ? 

20. What steps did the Governor take for his apprehension? 

27. Tell of Maynard's expedition, 

28. Tell of Blackbeard's death. 

29. Why Avas Governor Ppottswood removed from office? 
Sa. Tell of Colonel Byrd's visit to Mrs- Spottswood. 

31. Where did the Governor die, and when ? 



CHAPTEE XYI. 
1723. 



Hugh Drysdale was appointed Governor in the place 
of Grovernor Spottswood. His administration was a 
short one, and devoid of interest. Colonel William 
Gooch, one of the best Governors of whom Virginia can 
boast, succeeded him. 

About this time the colonies in Korth America began 
to draw more closely together ; heretofore their govern- 
ments had been almost as distinct as those of England, 
Prance and Germany, now they began to feel their 
dependence upon each other. New York, Pennsylvania, 
Yirginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia were 
like a band of young sisters, bound together by ties of a 
common interest, and united for purposes of self-defence, 
though their governments were still distinct. 

During the administration of Governor Gooch a 
quarrel arose between the neighboring States of Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina about their boundaries, each 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 125 

claiming a tract of land lying upon their borders ; 
and for a long time persons living upon this disputed 
territory did not know which State to claim as their 
home. This led to many difficulties, as some would pay 
taxes to -NTorth Carolina which Virginia claimed, and 
then just the other w^ay. At last it was determined to 
settle the matter before the disagreement became too 
serious to be cured; so the Governors of the two States 
each appointed commissioners to meet and travel through 
the country with engineers, and run the line over again 
Btraight, bo there could be no further mistake. At the 
head of the Virginia Commission was Colonel William 
Byrd, a gentleman of great distinction and originality. 
He has left a narrative of his adventures, which is full 
of interest, in which he tells many amusing stories, 
besides giving us a picture of the settlements in that 
part of the country in these early days. Many of these 
are valuable contributions to the history of the State. 
The most lasting memorial, however, which he has left 
is the city of Eichmond, of which he laid the foundation ; 
also of Petersburg, about the same time. It was expected 
that these two cities, one at the head of navigation on 
James Hiver, and the other on the Appomattox, would 
become great centres for the trade of Virginia, as the 
two rivers upon which they were situated constituted 
convenient outlets into Chesapeake Bay. 

Settlements now began to be made in the beautiful 
Valley of Virginia. From Pennsylvania came a number 
of Scotch-Irish settlers, who, in consequence of religious 
persecution in their own country, emigrated from the 
north of Ireland to America, and had at first fixed their 
homes in that State, but finding the fertile fields of the 
Valley open to their occupation, they moved onward and 



126 HISTORY OP VIRGINIA. 

took possession. William Penn had so wisely conciliated 
the Indians in Pennsylvania by buying their lands and in 
other ways, that they regarded him as a benefactor, and 
this movement into the Yalley was not interrupted by 
them. The new settlers also proposed buying the lands 
as William Penn had done ; this they did to some extent, 
but a serious difficulty arose. The Yalley was looked 
upon as a common hunting-ground, and no tribe could 
be found who claimed it as their particular property. 
A number of families, headed by Joist Ilite, obtained a 
grant for forty thousand acres of land, which they located 
in the lower part of the Yalley of the Shenandoah ; and 
having settled on it, gradually extended their settle- 
ments up the Yalley to a point near the spot where the 
town of Woodstock now stands. Two small houses 
were erected on what was known as Shawnee Spring, 
the present site of the city of Winchester, which was 
afterwards the frontier outpost for the settlers in that 
part of the Yalley. The reports brought back by Grov- 
ernor Spottswood and his j)arty about the Yalley, reach- 
ing the ears of two newly arrived emigrants to Yirginia, 
named John Mackey and John Lewis, they visited it 
with a j)edlar named Sailing, and so delighted were they 
that the three determined to fix their abode there. 
John Lewis obtained a grant of a hundred thousand 
acres of land, which he located in this valley, and was 
visited in his mountain home by an agent of Lord Fair- 
fax named Burden, who spent some months in hunting 
through the forests. Eeturning to Vv^illiamsburg, Burden 
presented Governor Gooch with a young buffalo calf 
w^hich he had captured, and in return the Governor gave 
him a grant for five thousand acres of land in the valley, 
upon condition that within ten years ho would settle 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. ? 27 



upon it one hundred families; and if this was accom- 
plished, ho should have one thousand acres in the neigh- 
borhood of every house. This being a difficult task, h ^ 
went over to England and begged the King to concludt 
the matter, giving him at the same time a list of names of 
families living on his land. The King granted his re 
quest, but it was found that he had resorted to a deceitfiJ 
trick, as he had bestowed names upon every horse, cow 
and dog he owned, representing them as so many heads 
of families. This trick was discovered too late ; he sold 
the land in small tracts to the emigrants, and Avent off 
with the money. His grant covered a greater part of 
Hockbridge county, and was settled by the McDowells, 
Alexanders, Paxtons, and many other names of which 
Virginia knows the worth. They were mostly Scotch 
Presbyterians, and were distinguished for their simplicity 
and integrity. They devoted themselves to agricultural 
pursuits, built churches, and in the enjoyment of re- 
ligious freedom and home duties they passed their 
simple lives. Thus was the whole Valley of Virginia 
settled. Nearly twenty years passed away before the 
settlers had any difficulty with the Indians, though the 
Delawares and Catawbas were engaged in a war at the 
time the Valley was first known, and this continued 
many years afterwards. Many signs are now found 
throughout the Valley of the furious contests between 
these two powerful tribes. It was one of the customs 
of the Indians to bury their dead, not in single graves, 
but in mounds, and some of these mounds have been 
found which are eighteen or twenty feet high and fifty 
or sixty feet wide. 

It was fortunate for the new settlers in Virginia that 
their savage neighbors were so deeply engaged in their 



128 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

own affairs that the colonies had time to grow without 
interruption, and were in some degree able to defend 
themselves when defence became necessary. Some of 
the customs of these early inhabitants of the Yalley of 
Yirginia were curious ; most of them were derived from 
the Germans. I will tell you about their marriage 
ceremony. A wedding, then as now, excited the atten- 
tion of the whole neighborhood. It was celebrated at 
the house of the bride, and was almost the only frolic 
which their lives of hard labor allowed. On the 
morning of the wedding-day, the groom and his four 
attendants met at his residence and proceeded to- 
ward that of the bride, which they were obliged to 
reach by noon, that being the hour at which the cere- 
mony was generally performed. Then the fun began, 
and all the neighbors joined in it. The groom and his 
party found the narrow roads obstructed by fallen 
trees and grape-vines tied across the way, and these 
they must stop and remove. Next they were am- 
buscaded, and a discharge of guns enveloped them 
in smoke. But in spite of these interruptions, the 
groom could not be behind-hand, and the hour of noon 
would generally find him at the appointed place. The 
bridal-party proper consisted of the bride and groom ; 
four groomsmen, dressed in moccasins, leather breeches, 
leggings, and linsey hunting-shirts, all home-made ; the 
ladies were dressed in linsey petticoats, with linsey or 
linen gowns over them, coarse shoes, coarse stockings, 
cotton handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves. If the cere- 
mony took place at the church, the whole party — 
mounted on horses caparisoned with old saddles, old 
bridles, and a blanket or bag thrown over them — would 
have to encounter the same obstructions in their path- 



HISTORY OF VIKGINIA. 



129 



way to matrimony, placed there by their fun-loving 
neighbors. After the ceremony was performed they 
would return home, and the way thither was beguiled 
by various amusements, one of which I will tell you 
about. It was called " running for the bottle." A big 
bottle, Avhich was named " Black Bettic," was filled with 
whiskey and placed at some designated point (generally 




at the house of the bride) on the road ; then two young 
men, mounted on their horses, would run a race for tliis 
prize, taking an even start, which was announced by an 
Indian whoop. Off they would go, their horses at full 
speed, dashing over rocks, stumps, and any other im- 
pediments. The victor announced his success by an- 
other yell, and then returned to the company, holding 
the bottle high above his head. 'Twas presented first 
to the bride, who must at least taste it, then to the 
groom, and then to each of the party, no one being 



ICO HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

allowed to refuse to take a drink. Immediately after 
arriving at the house, dinner, for which literally the 
fatted calf had been killed, was announced, and a most 
substantial meal it was : consisting of beef, pork, fowls, 
bear's meat, venison, bread, butter, honey, maplo sugar, 
wine (if it could be had), potatoes, cabbage, and other 
vegetables. These were set out on old pewter dishes 
and plates, wooden bowls and trenchers ; if knives were 
scarce, the guests made use of the scalping-knife which 
each man wore in the belt of his hunting-shirt. During 
the meal the greatest hilarity prevailed. The younger 
part of the company attempted to steal the bride's 
shoe ; the four groomsmen were obliged to guard her, 
and he who failed to do so was obliged to paj^ a forfeit 
for the redemption of the shoe, and the bride was not 
permitted to dance until it was restored. Next came 
the ceremon}' of throwing the stocking. -A stocking 
was rolled in a ball and given to each of the young 
ladies in turn, who, standing with her back to the bride, 
threw it over her shoulder, and the first who succeeded 
in strikinjr the bride's head was the next to be married. 
The young men then went through the same ceremony, 
only throwing it at the groom's head. The dancing, 
which was kept up often through the whole night, con- 
sisted of jigs, reels, and square dances; and if any of 
the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal 
himself for the purpose of sleeping, the luckless wight 
was dragged out upon the floor, and the fiddler ordered 
to play " Hang out till morning." 

These festivities were sometimes kept up for a week 
or more, until the revellers, perfectly exhausted, had 
to claim several days of rest before they were fit for 
their employments. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 131 



Questions for Examination. 



1. What is the date of these events? 

2. Who succeeded Governor Spottswood ? 

3. "What relations existed between Virginia and her sister colo- 

nies? 

4. What dispute arose between Virginia and North Carolina 7 

5. Wlio was ihun Governor of Virginia? 
«. How was the dispute settled? 

7. Who was* Colonel jsyrd? 

8. What two cities (Hd he found? 

9. Give an account of the settlem,ents in the lower Valley. 

10. What St^ttlements were made by Mackey, Lewis, and Sailing \ 

11. Tell of Hurden's visit to Lewis. 

12. What present did he niako to the Governor, and how wa» 

he rewarded ? 

13. To what trick did he resort, and with what success? 

14. AVhat portion of the Valiey did his grant cover? 
l.>. Wliat was tlie character of tlie settlers upon it, ? 

16. What of the Indian tribes in the Valley of Virginia? 

17. Did they molest the early settlers? 

15. Tell the manner in which a marriage was conducted among 

the early setUers. 

19. What of the feast? 



CHAPTER XYII. 

On the twenty-second day of February, 1732, in the 
county of Westmoreland, was born George Washington, 
who, from the place he holds in the history of the 
United States, but especially in that of Virginia, merits 
more than ordinary mention in these pages. lie was 
the son of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball, both 
by birth Yirginians. AYhen he was about five years 
old, his father removed to Stafford county; and upon 
the banks of the Rappahannock, nearly opposite Fred- 
ericksburg, the childhood of George Washington was 
passed. lie received only a plain English education ; 
his first schoolmaster being an old sexton named Hobby, 
who lived to see the renown of his pupil, and used to 
boast that the foundation of George AVashington's great- 
ness was laid between his knees. But it is far more 
likely that the wise counsels and good example of bj^ 



132 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



father had more to do with the formation of the chac 
acter of the future patriot than the ABC teachings 
of old Ilobbj-. "Truth, G-eorge," said his good tiither 
to him one day, "is the loveliest quality of youth. 
I would ride fifty miles, my son, to see the little boy 
whose heart was so honest, and his lips so pure, that 
I could depend on every word he says." 

AVith such nurture of the tender shoot, it is no wonder 
that the tree spread out great branches. Young Wash- 
ington seems to have taken a position amongst his com- 
panions at an early age, as one whose word could be 
depended upon. His father died v/hen he was ten years 
old, but he never lost the impression made upon him by 
his teachings ; on the contrary, thc}" seemed to grow 
with his growth and strengthen with his strength. 
lie went to school in Westmoreland county, to a Mr. 
Williams ; and here he was distinguished for his skill 
in athletic sports, running, jumping, and wrestling, 
showing great disdain for such tame games as tops and 
marbles. It is told of him that, when he was only in 
his eleventh year, he gave evidence of military talent. 
He used to divide his school-fellows into two parties, 
one of which he called French and the other American. 
The French were commanded by a big boy named William 
Bustle ; Greorgc himself commanded the Americans ; and 
every day, at recess, the little armies would seize their 
corn-stalk muskets and calabash drums, and turn out to 
fight their mimic battles with great fury. At the ago 
of sixteen he left school, and obtained a situation as 
surveyor for Lord Fairfax, who owned all the land in 
what js called the l!s'orthern Keck of A^irginia, lying 
between the Kappahannock and Potomac rivers, and 
fron; the Chesapeake Bay back to the Alleghany moun- 



IIISTOr.Y OF VIKGTXIA. 133 

tains. This tract was first granted to Lord Culpepcr, 
former Grovernor of Yirginia, and inherited by Lord 
Fairfax, Avho married Culpeper's daughter. 

Washington remained in this employment until his 
twentieth year ; working hard as a woodsman, and 
spending his leisure hours in athletic sports with his 
young companions, the Stevenses and Cravrfords. Such 
was his physical training ; and his heart seems to have 
been equally v\^ell disciplined, for he always retained the 
tcndercst feelings towards the companions of his youth. 
It is said that ho received an appointment on a British 
man-of-war, and his trunk was actually on board, but 
Avhen he came to take leave of his weeping mother, who 
told him her heart was breaking, he declined the ap- 
pointment and stayed at home to gratify her. From 
this time he seems to have imbibed a passion for mili- 
tary life, and spent his leisure time in practising military 
tactics ; and attracted so much attention by the skill ho 
manifested in all military arts, that when he left the 
service of Lord Fairfax ho was appointed Adjutant 
General of the Yirginia forces on the Northern Keck, 
who were traininn: for service atcainst the Indians. 
Here his history becomes involved with other events, 
which I must pause to relate. 

You remember that, when the first colonists came to 
this continent, England claimed, by right of discovery, 
the entire country stretching in length from Canada to 
the southern border of Korth Carolina, and in breadth 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. Now, if 3'ou 
will look at 3'our maps, you vrill see what a great extent 
of territory this comprises, and that the J.Iississippi 
river cuts it in two, and witli its tributaries waters the 
entire country-, as avcU as th:it to the south of it. It is 



134 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

true that England had no idea of the immense territory 
she was claiming ; nevertheless her title to it all was con- 
sidered perfect. The French owned Canada, and one 
of her Jesuit missionaries, sailing down the Wisconsin 
river in an open hoat, entered the great Mississippi, 
passing the mouths of the Missouri and Ohio ; and then 
returned to tell of the beautiful country he had dis- 
covered, and claimed in the name of his sovereign ; 
cither not knowing or not caring for the fact that 
England had laid claim to the country nearly two 
hundred years before. This happened about seventy 
years ai'ter Virginia was colonized by Captain John 
Smith. ISTine years after the expedition of the Jesuit 
missionary, another Frenchman, named La Salle, des- 
cended the Mississippi river to its mouth, and named 
the surrounding country' Louisiana, after his sovereign 
Louis. The possession of this country was never dis- 
puted by the English, as it was not within the bound- 
aries of their claim ; but as time went on, and the English 
settlements were pushed back towards the Mississippi, 
it became a contested matter whether the English or 
the French should own the magnificent country which 
was watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries. 
Many years before this time, Governor Spottswood had 
advised the English Government to send companies to 
explore this splendid country, to make English settle- 
ments, and to build forts along the Ohio river for their 
protection. Had ho been listened to, a bloody war 
mif^ht have been averted ; but he was not, and the 
colony of Virginia had now to suffer the consequences 
of the disregard with which his warnings had been 
treated. Information reached Governor Dinwiddle, 
of Virginia, that the French had made treaties with 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 135 

all the western tribes of Indians, and were building 
forts on the Ohio river, which they intended to 
claim ; and G-ovcrnor Dinwiddle, after trying other 
means, determined to send a message to the com- 
mander on the Ohio to remonstrate air^iinst his en- 
croachments, and to warn him that if he did not at 
once withdraw his forces, he would compel him to do so. 
But a difficulty arose as to who would be the bearer of 
this message, through trackless forests where the silence 
of nature had never been broken, save by the Indian 
war-whoop and the roar of wild beasts, where dangers 
known and unknown must beset every step. 

Dinwiddle did not have Ions; to wait for a messenger. 
Young George AYashington, hearing of the difficulty, at 
once presented himself to the Governor and tendered 
his services. They were gladly accepted ; and the next 
day, which was the thirty-first of October, he left 
Williamsburg, and passed through Fredericksburg up 
the Potomac to Alexandria, thence over the mountains 
to Winchester, and thence again to the point on the 
Potomac where the city of Cumberland now stands, 
beyond which there was no European settlement. 

The prospect before him would have daunted any 
heart less brave than his own, but Washington did not 
linger long enough to think of the dangers of the way. 
The firmness which his early education had imparted to 
his character, now displayed itself At the head of his 
little party, over the snow-crowned Allcghanies, he slowly 
and cautiously made his way. How the journey was ac- 
complished has ever since been a wonder to all. In the 
middle of winter, throuirh difficulties of which laniruacre 
can convey no idea, our young hero pushed on. They 
crossed the larger rivera on rufts, and had to fell trees 



luG HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

across tho rapid mountain torrents. At length they 
reached the point where the Monongahcla and Alleghany 
rivers unite and form tho Ohio; it was a beautiful 
country, and the keen eye of AYashington at once fixed 
upon it as a most important position for a fort. Twenty 
miles further on, he again paused, and collecting as many 
of tho Indian braves as ho could, mado them a speech, 
in which ho told them the ol)ject of his mission and 
asked their assistance. lie was answered by a young 
Indian king from whom he learned that his people were 
not unwilling to assist in putting a stop to the progress 
of the French, as they wero beginning to view their 
movements with apprehension and jealousy. 

After resting a few days, Washington again Bet out 
on his journey for tho headquarters of the French, 
which was about one hundred and twenty miles from 
the Ohio River. The 3^oung Indian king and three cf 
his men accompanied him. By perseverance they at 
length reached the j^lace, and were courteously received 
by tho French commander, St. Pierre. AYashington 
presented Governor Dinwiddle's letter^ St. Pierre, in 
reply, said that tho matter must be decided by the 
Governor of Canada ; his duty Avas simplj'- to obey 
orders, which obliged him to maintain hi;} present posi- 
tion ; and with this unsatisfactory answer, Washington 
was forced to return. We will not follow his course back. 
He reached Williamsburg about the middle of January', 
after an absence of only two months and a half, and 
delivered his messasce to Governor Dinwiddie. It was 
decisive; war between tho English and French was at 
once declared. The service of the young ofiicer in this 
expedition Avas highly appreciated. Going into tho House 
of Burgesses one day, he took his seat in the gallery, 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



137 



just in time to hear Speaker Hobertson say, " Gentle- 
men, it is proposed that the thanks of this House be 
given to Major Washington, who now sits in the 
gallery, for the very gallant manner in which he has 




WASUINGTON RECEIVING THANKS OF THE HOUSE OF BUBGESSES. 

executed the important trust lately imposed in him by his 
Excellency Governor Dinwiddle." In a moment the 
House rose as one man, and turning towards the blush- 
ing young officer, saluted him ; ho tried to reply, but bo 



138 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



completely confounded was this young hero, who had 
not feared to encounter the dangers of the American 
forest, that he stood blushing like a girl as this the first 
leaf in his crown of laurel, was placed on his head. At 
last he found voice to articulate faintly, " Mr. Speaker — 
Mr. Speaker!" and then was silent. Old Speaker Rob- 
ertson called out to him, laughingly, " Major Washington 
— Major Washington, sit down, your modesty alono is 
equal to your merit." 

As soon as the news reached England of the unsuc- 
cessful mission of Washington to the French, orders 
were issued by the British ministry for the colonists to 
arm and unite in repelling the aggressions of the French. 
Virginia raised two companies of one hundred men 
each, and placed them under the command of Wash- 
ington, who, in obedience to orders, early in April 
marched towards the fork of the Ohio, to complete 
the erection of a fort which had been commenced 
some time before.* Before he reached there, however, he 
heard that the fort had been surrendered to the French, 
with a quantity of valuable property and a large body 
of men. This was the first open act of hostility on the 
part of the French. Upon hearing this news, Washing- 
ton moved slowly forward, intending to be guided in his 
course by any circumstances of which he could take 
advantage. lie had many difficulties to encounter, witli 
the Indians particularly. At one time as he was making 
his way down the mountain, his Indian guides refused 
to go any further without reward, and he was obliged 
to promise them his coat and his ruffled shirt at the end 
of the journey. At length the opportunity to meet the 
enemy, which he had so ardently longed for, presented 
itself, as his Indian scouts reported quite a large body 

* He here joined Colonel Fry, who assumed command. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 139 

of French approaching with apparently hostile inten- 
tions, and these the young officer determined to antici- 
pate. Guided by friendly Indians, among whom was 
the young half King Tanacharisen, w^ho gave many 
proofs of affection and fidelity, Washington, after divi- 
ding his men into two parties, marched under cover of 
a very dark night in the direction of the valley in which 
the enemy were encamped, and before morning dawned 
the French commander awoke to the consciousness that 
ho was completely surrounded. There was a rush to 
arms, but it was too late; and the whole party were 
forced to surrender, which they did not do until they 
had lost their commander and ten men. This was the 
first blood shed in the war between the French and 
English.* 



Questions for Examination, 

1. When and where was George "Washington born? 

2. Relate llie circumstances of his early life. 

3. What was the real fouudatioa of his honest character? 

4. Relate the story of his sc'iool-days. 

5. What place did ho fill when he l?ft srhool ? 

«. Where is the "Northern Neck of Virginia," and to whom 
was it granted ? 

7. II'>wlon» did he act as surveyor to Lord Fairfax? 

8. What proof of filial love did he give? 

9. What situation did lie next receive? 

lit. Point out on your map the territory claimed by England. 

11. What great river cuts this in two and waters it? 

12. Where wero the French i)ossessions ? 

13. What circumstances led theni to claim this country? 

14. Of what poition of the country did La. Salle lake possession, 

and what did he name it? 

15. What difficulties nro<e «nit of these French claims? 

Ivi. Wliat advice hud Governor fepotlswood once given upon this 

subject ? 

17. What news rp>ache<l Governor Pinwiddie? 

J8. What step did he dot<riuine upon? 

10. Wlio was chosen ns messenger? 

20. What course did Washingt n pursue? 

21. Relate the circumstances of liis journey. 

22. Toll of his Interview with the friendly Indians. 
2J. Next his interview with the French olhcer. 

*I would advise teachers to makr> the p-ipils stuly tlicse lessons 
"With theaid of maps, as it isimportant that they sliould have a proper 
Idea of these localities. 



140 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



24. Of his return home. 

25. Of lii.s iipyeararien in the TTonse of Burgesses. 

2tt» How way the news of Freucli uggressio-iis received in Eng- 
land ? 

27. What position was given to Washington? 

2H. To what point did lie direct his course ? 

29. What condition of things did he And? 

30. What course did he pursue next? 

31. Tell of his first battle with the French, 



CHAPTEE XYIII. 



L755. 



After this battle, the command of the Yirginia forces 
by the sudden death of Colonel Fry devolved upon 
Washington. He was reinforced at a place called •' The 
Meadows" by two companies, one from New York and 
one from South Carolina. At the Meadows ho erected 
a small fort which he called "Fort IS^ecessity," and when 
this was done, at the head of nearly four hundred men 
he turned towards Fort Duquesne. lie had gone thir- 
teen miles in this direction when he was met by some 
friendly Indians, who told him that the troops in Fort 
Duquesne were as numerous as the pigeons in the woods. 
A council of war was held, and it was reluctantly deter- 
mined to return to Fort jSTecessity; here Washington 
strained every nerve to complete the fort, as he had no 
doubt that the French, trusting to their suj^eriority of 
numbers, would make a descent upon him. The result 
showed the foresight of the young officer, for before his 
prej)arations were complete, fifteen hundred French and 
Indians came bearing down upon Fort Necessity, 
commanded by Monsieur De Yilliers, who, confident 
in his superior numbers, expected to secure an easy 
prey. Surrounding the small fort, they commenced a 
furious fire from all points at once ; but now the wisdom 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 141 

of Washington in the choice of its position was shown. 
It was erected in the middle of level ground, with noth- 
ing to obstruct the eye for a long distance on any side. 
The French shots were thrown away on account of 
the distance, and as they ventured nearer they were 
picked out and shot down by the keen American marks- 
men. All day long the fight continued, Washington 
animating his troops by exhortations and personal 
example. He had early taken a position on the outside 
of the fort, where the men fought from morning until 
evening in the ditch up to their knees in mud and water. 
De YiLiers was astonished ; he was not prepared for so 
earnest a resistance from these untutored Americans. 
After hours of contest he had made no impression on 
the fort, and had lost two hundred of his men killed and 
disabled. Knowing that it was impossible for the little 
garrison to escape, and that it could be reduced by fam- 
ine, he sent a message to Washington proposing terms 
of capitulation ; but the conditions laid down were too 
humiliating to be thought of for an instant, and the 
young officer returned for answer that he and his conv 
panions would sacrifice their lives one by one in the ditch 
where they had fought rather than submit to dishonor. 
The haughty Frenchman began to understand whali 
sort of a man he had to deal with, and during the night 
sent another message, proposing that the Americans 
should be permitted to retire from the fort with their 
arms and baggage, and to march without molestation 
into the inhabited parts of Virginia, and that the French 
should retire to Fort Duquesne. These terms were 
accepted; but Washington had scared}' commenced his 
march before he discovered that the terms he had ac- 
cepted were not honorably observed, for the Indians in 



142 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

the employ of the French hovered about his little army 
continually, committing the most wanton outrages and 
barbarous cruelties ; his men dared not close their 
eyes for fear of the terrible war-whoop and the scalping 
knife. At length, with diminished numbers, spent with 
fatigue and hunger, the little army arrived at Win- 
chester. 

The House of Burgesses returned a vote of thanks to 
the officers and men engaged in this expedition, and 
gave about nine hundred dollars to be divided between 
them. 

Governor Dinwiddie immediately formed a plan for 
another campaign, and sent orders to Washington to 
retrace his steps across the Alleghanies, to defeat the 
French and Indians, and to capture Fort Duquesne. 
ISTothing could exceed Washington's astonishment at 
thesG orders; he knew that it was madness, with his 
exhausted army, to attempt to march through the wil- 
derness in the midst of winter without supplies to ac- 
complish the defeat of a daring foe who had double his 
number entrenched in fortifications. In this dilemma 
the Yirginia Assembly came to his relief, and refused to 
vote the money required to carry out Governor Din- 
widdle's plan of campaign. 

During the next winter the English Government sent 
Governor Dinwiddle ten thousand pounds for carrying 
on the war, but it was accompanied by orders which 
threw everything into confusion. The whole army in 
Yirginia was to be divided into companies, and no officer 
was to have a higher grade than that of captain ; so 
that Washington, who had fairly won his position as 
Colonel of a Yirginia regiment, was degraded to the 
rank of Captain, with English officers, who had seen no 



HISTORY OF VrEGINIA. 143 

service, ranking him. His high spirit refused to brook 
such injustice ; he resigned his position in the army and 
retired to private life. 

lie was not permitted long to remain in retirement. 
Early in the spring of this year Major-General Brad- 
dock arrived with a sufficient body of troops to carry 
on the war with vigor ; and hearing of the merits of 
the young Yirginia officer, and knowing how important 
would be his knowledge of the country in the approach- 
ing campaign, he sent for him and entreated him to ac- 
cept the 2)Osition of aide upon his staff, with the rank of 
Colonel. Washington was only too glad to accept this 
offer, as it had been a severe trial to him to lay down 
his arms which had been raised in defence of his country. 
General Braddock, a brave and experienced officer, had 
won many laurels upon the battle-fields of Europe, but 
he knew nothing of fighting in America. He expected 
to march his men through the thick forests in heavy 
columns as he had done over the plains of Europe, to 
cut down trees, level obstructions, and bridge every 
brook. You may imagine that the progress of his 
troops was very slow ; they were nearly one month 
going eighty miles from Cumberland towards Fort Du- 
quesne. Unfortunately Washington was taken sick and 
obliged to stay behind, so that General Braddock lost 
the benefit of his advice ; but it is doubtful whether he 
would have availed himself of it had Washington been 
with him, for he is described as being a haughty, impe- 
rious man, unwilling to accept counsel from an inferior 
officer. 

At length they arrived at the Monongahela, and hero 
Colonel AYashington, weak from illness, joined them : 
but the ardor of his spirit and the urgency of the situ- 



144 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

ation forced him to enter upon the duties of his position 
without delay. On the morning of the ninth of July, 
General Braddock made ^^reparations for crossing the 
Monongahela. ^V"ashington in later days often spoke 
of the beauty of the scene. The British troops, perfectly 
disciplined and in full uniform, marched through the 
forest with the regular step of the parade-ground. 
Braddock had retained but three Yirginia companies, 
and those probably out of compliment to Washington ; 
the others were left in the rear. They were now within 
seven miles of Fort Duquesne, and Washington saw, with 
the deepest anxiety, the incautious rapidity with which 
General Braddock advanced. In vain he warned him 
of the dangers of ambush, and entreated that he might 
lead the way with the Virginia Eangers and search the 
country well before the advance of the whole army. 
Bejecting his advice, the haughty commander gave him 
to understand that he was presuming upon his position. 
He retired with flushed cheeks, and as his eye glanced 
over the splendid army, a sad feeling struck to his 
heart. How many of the brave fellows before him, so 
confident of victory, would that day bite the dust ! The 
result was worse even than his anticipations. Just 
above the crossing of the river, as they were ascending 
the slope from its banks, a heavy fire was opened upon 
the front and left, from an unseen foe. The van of the 
army, startled by this fire, fell back. A panic com- 
menced ; and now the fire opened upon them from every 
side, though not a man was to be seen. General Brad- 
dock was a brave man, and did his utmost to rally his 
troops ; but again his ignorance of American warfare 
misled him. Instead of ordering his men to charge 
into the trees and brushwood, and thus to dislodge the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



145 



hidden enemy, he formed them in solid cohimns, as he 
had been accustomed to do upon open battle-fields. 
This was playing into the enemy's hands, as the French 
and Indian sharpshooters poured in continuous volleys 







BltADDOCK'3 DEFEAT. 

upon these masses, and no exhortations, no examples, 
could stay the i)aiiic that ensued. CroAvded together 
like sheep in a slaugliter-pcn, as if the fire of the enemy 
was not destructive enougli, they added to the bloodshed 



146 HISTORY OF VIPwGINIA. 

of their own men by their random firing. Their un- 
fortunate General did all that man could do to restore 
order; he was always to be seen in the front, riding 
from place to place, trying to rally his men ; but it was 
in vain. Five horses were killed under him, and two 
of his aides were shot down by his side. Kearly half of 
his army was either killed or wounded, and the ground 
was lit'^rally strewn with the dead. The Indians picked 
out t?:e officers by their brilliant uniforms. The Vir- 
ginia troops, in this terrible havoc, behaved with the 
great st bravery. Unlike the British, they made no 
atteu pt to keep in close order, but scattering them- 
selvet in the woods, fought from behind the trees. To 
epeak in the language of the time, they fought like men 
and died like soldiers; but their bravery did not save 
them from destruction. When the battle ended, but 
thirty remained alive of the three hundred that had 
gone into it; out of one company of twenty-nine, 
twenty-five were killed; of another, only one private 
survived. 

Colonel Washington also distinguished himself by 
his coolness and resolution. After the death of the 
General's aides, the whole duty of carrying his orders to 
different parts of the field devolved upon him ; this duty 
he performed in the midst of an incessant fire. 

It is said that an Indian chief marked him, as he rode 
to and fro through the field, and, taking deliberate aim, 
fired; but the intended victim rode on unharmed. The 
fire was repeated with a like result, and then, calling his 
men around him, the warrior pointed out the young 
brave whose life he sought, bidding them direct their 
rifles upon him ; but still the young hero passed on un- 
harmed, until the superstitious Indians desisted, bcliev- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 147 

ing that he bore a charmed life. He had two horses 
shot under him, four bullets passed through his clothes, 
but not a hair of his head was hurt 3 and, by his cool- 
ness and activity, he saved the remains of the army. 
The unhappy General was not thus protected. He re- 
ceived a ball through his lungs, and was borne from the 
field by Washington and another of his officers. After 
this, the rout became general. Everything was de- 
serted, the artillery, baggage and colors were all 
abandoned, and this probably saved the remnant of the 
army, for the Indians stopped the pursuit to revel in 
the plunder. 

Fortunately, a portion of Braddock's army had been 
left some distance in the rear, under Colonel Dunbar* 
To his camp, at Fort Cumberland, Braddock was carried, 
and there he died. It is said that in his dying moments 
he confessed to Washington that he had erred in not 
taking his advice upon that fatal morning. After his 
death the entire army retreated to Winchester; nor did 
Dunbar, who succeeded to the command, consider him- 
self safe even there, for he announcea his intention of 
taking up winter-quarters in Philadelphia in the middle 
of summer. Washington sent a message to Governor 
Dinwiddle, to inform him of the defeat and death of 
General Braddock, and of Dunbar's departure to Phila- 
delphia. The whole frontier was open to the enemy. 
Nothing could exceed the dismay of the people of Vir- 
ginia at the reception of this news. A meeting of the 
Burgesses was immediately called ; a sum of money 
was voted to Washington and his surviving officers, as 
a token of approval of the part they had borne in the 
unfortunate campaign, and their confidence in Washing- 
ton was shown by bestowing upon him the command 



148 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

of a regiment which was to proceed at once to the pro- 
tection of the border. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. In "What year did these events occur ? 

2. What promotion was conferred upon Washington after tlie 

battle? 

3. What fort did he erect 7 

4. What pieveuted his inarching against Fort Duquesne? 

5. Wiiatwas Washington's next step? 

6. Tell of the attaclc on Fort i^ecessity. 

7. Of the close of tlie affair. 

8. Of Washington's retreat to Winchester. 

9. How did the House of Burgesses acicnowledge his services? 

10. Wiiat plan of campaign did the Governor form? 

11. What f)revpnte«l iis execution? 

12. What did the Englisli Government next do? 

13. What course did Washington taiie? 

14. What induced him again to talte up arms? 

15. What of Uenerai iJraddock, and his idea of fighting in Amer- 

ica? 

16. Tell of his march. 

17. Where WHS Washington ? 

18. What happened on the ninth of July ? 

19. lielate tlie order of the advance. 

20. What remonstrance did Washington malie, and with what 

effect? 

21. Relate the story of the fight. 

22. TfW of the panic. 

23. What course did the Indians talce? 

24. What of the beiiavior and loss amongst the Virginia troops? 

25. How was Washington wonderfully protected? 
2«. Tell of Braddock's death. 

27. What became of the rest of the army ? 

28. What remarkable course did Dunbar take? 

29. What did tlie House of Burgesses do ? 



CHAPTEE XIX. 
1756-1763. 



The prompt measures thus taken were not prema- 
ture for, before AYashington could return to Winchester, 
news was received thai the Indians, encouraged by the 
defeat at Fort Duquesne, had gathered in great num- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 149 

bers, and were already spreading devastation throughout 
the whole country. Ilad the Government furnished 
him with men and means sufficient to take Fort Du- 
quesne at once, the heart-rending details of savage 
butcheries upon the frontier might never have been 
told. The whole country was terror-stricken at the 
fate of Braddock's army, and no representations of 
Washinirton could induce the authorities to order 
another advance. Thus the French were enabled to 
concentrate their forces at this most important place ; 
and it is no doubt true that this civilized nation used 
every means in their power to send the murderous 
savage with his tomahawk and scalping-knife upon 
the defenceless inhabitants of the frontier of Virginia. 

"Washington did all he could in its defence, but this 
was little ; for how could sixteen hundred men guard a 
frontier of three hundred and sixty miles ? He built 
a large fort at "Winchester, which he named in honor of 
Lord Loudoun, who was now in command of the 
British forces in America; and besides, twenty-three 
smaller forts were erected along the mountain ranges. 
Amongst these he divided his forces, and to these places 
of refuge would men, women and children fly for safety 
when the war-whoop of the savage awaked the echoes 
of the forests. 

The history of the following three years is written in 
blood, and the heart of the brave commander of the 
Virginia forces sickened at the sights which daily met 
his eye, and which ho was powerless to avert. Steadily 
he pursued his course, going from fort to fort. At one 
place he found a man lying in the furrow beside his 
plough, with his story written in his forehead by the 
terrible tomahawk ; and at a short distance stood the 



110 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

ruins of his cottage, with the bones of his wife and 
children bleaching in the ashes. But why should we 
dwell on such horrors ? How can the writer of history- 
paint the American Indian as brave and generous with 
such facts before him? — his distinc-uishino* character- 
istic being to fight under cover, and not only to murder, 
but to torture defenceless women and children. 

During all this time Washington continued to advo- 
cate the attack upon Fort Duquesne, but in vain, until 
Dinwiddle was removed from the government of Virginia, 
and Lord Fauquier appointed in his place. He at once 
saw the wisdom of this movement, and an army was 
raised, which after many dangers and delays reached 
Fort Duquesne to find it deserted, so that this im- 
portant position fell into the hands of the Virginians 
without a blow. It was now their duty to bury the 
remains of those who were slain in Braddock's defeat, 
and which now lay bleaching upon the battle-field. Dis- 
figured, mutilated by wounds, torn by birds and beasts 
of prey, they presented a spectacle horrible to the 
sight, and many a brave soldier dropped a tear as he 
walked silently and solemnly through this army of the 
dead. 

It is related that one Major Halket had lost a father 
and a brother in this battle ; an Indian guide told him 
of an old ofiicer whom he had seen fall, and of a young 
man who in stooping to help him fell across the body, 
and he pointed out the two skeletons as they lay. Quiver- 
ing with emotion, the strong man stood by the side of 
the bones ; stopping an instant to think, he recalled 
some peculiarities connected with his father, and as he 
raised the skeleton and perceived the mark for which 
he sought, he exclaimed " It is my father ! " and fell 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 151 

back in the arms of his companion. This is but one 
touching instance among many. There were some 
there who had escaped the slaughter of that terrible 
day, and told of its horrors with all the eloquence 
of eye-witnesses. At length, with pious care they 
gathered together the sacred dust and buried it in one 
grave. Having performed this duty, they made a treaty 
with the Indians, and having taken proper steps for 
the protection of the frontier, General Forbes returned 
with his army to Philadelphia. 

The fall of Tort Duquesne put an end to the war 
between the French and English uj^on the frontiers of 
Virginia, and Washington, after five years of active 
service, was not sorry to lay down his sword and return 
to Mount Yernon. 

It is a remarkable fact that in Washington's career, 
though often unsuccessful, he never lost the confidence 
of his countrymen. Ko one blamed him for Braddock's 
defeat, on the contrary his reputation rose upon that 
battle-field ; ministers in the pulpit thanked God for 
preserving the life of the young hero, and the Burgesses 
presented him with a token of their confidence in him. 

.For some years after this, Virginia grew in strength 
and prosperity. The northern colonies were involved 
in war with the French, but everywhere the English 
Avere victorious, France was humbled, and the civilized 
world once more desired peace. 

The po} lation of Virginia increased rapidly, and she 
was unconsciously preparing for the great struggle in 
which she was to take the lead. She had now passed 
her infancy, her childhood, and even her youth, and she 
was slowly learning the high duties to which she was 
to be called, and in whose faithful performance she won 



152 HISTORY OF yiRGIN^IA. 

for herself a name of which her sons to the latest genera- 
tion will be proud. 

England in the meantime had been involved in so 
many wars that she was deeply in debt, and began 
to think seriously of forcing her prosperous colonies in 
America to assist her in paying these dues. This she 
had no right to do, and I will tell you why in a few 
words. You remember some chapters back I tried 
to explain to you about the government of England. 
Her Parliament, like our Congress and Legislature, is 
made up of men elected by the people to represent their 
interests, and the people are then taxed to pay the 
expenses of the government and to lay up a fund by 
which their own Avants will be supplied. Isow you can 
see by a little thought hovf well this would conduce to 
the benefit of all 2:)arties concerned. This great body 
of men, selected from the most intelligent in the country, 
met together and consulted about the good of the whole ; 
and after the wants and wishes of all were made known, 
they then decided how the sum of money they had in 
hand, and to which all had contributed, could be best 
used to meet these necessities. Having fixed this in 
your minds, you will be able to understand what injus- 
tice it would be if one particular part of the country 
should have been prevented from sending her men to 
Parliament to rej^resent her wishes, and had still been 
forced to pay her share of the money in the treasury. 
Now this Avas exactly the state of the case with America. 
She was not allowed to send any men to the Parliament 
of England to represent her interest, and therefore she 
very properly thought that England had no right to 
tax her, particularly as each State had her own govern- 
ment to support. If you will try and comprehend these 



HISTOrvY OF VIRGINIA. 153 

few simple facts perfectly, you will have no difficulty 
in understanding the causes which led to the Kevolu- 
tionary War. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. What years are Included In this chapter? 

2. What happened before Washington returned to Winchester? 
a. What was the cause of these misfortunes, and how iniglit tliey 

have been averted ? 

4. What steps did Washington cake 7 

5. Wliat of the following thrte years? 

6. What course did Washington advocate, and with what suc- 

cess ? 

7. Give an account of the return to the scene of Braddock's 

defeat, and the burial of the dead. 

8. What put an end to the war between the French and Eng- 

lish ? 

9. What is a noticeable fact in Washington's career? 
!0. What progress did Virginia make after these events? 

11, What was the condition of the British Government, and how 

did she propose to relieve herself of her difficulties? 

12. Explain why England had no right to tax America "^ 



CHAPTEE XX. 
1765-1770. 

An important and interesting duty of the Virginia 
historian is to make the reader acquainted with her great 
men ; those who by heroism, by eloquence, by states- 
manship, by the power of the pen, and by patriotism, 
have made their names immortal. You have already 
had a portrait of the great hero George Washington, 
who stands as the Father of his country. The circum- 
stances of America at this time called for other weapons 
than the sword. Virginia was in sore difficulties ; more 
than the other States was she devoted to the mother 
7* 



154 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

country. She had been the last to desert King Charles 
I., and the first to welcome King Charles II. to the 
throne. But there was something that Virginia loved 
more even than she did her King, and this was justice 
and freedom, and these she found endangered by the 
proposition to tax her in order to enable England to pay 
her heavy debt. 

I have told you about the navigation laws which for- 
bade America to trade with any country but England. 
When the colonies were too feeble to think of resistance, 
they had forced them to pay a tax upon all articles 
which were brought from England to America. These 
things though wrongs, Yirginia had become accustomed 
to ; but when her submission in this matter encouraged 
her English rulers to j)ut still greater burdens upon her, 
she became alarmed, and looked around anxiously to see 
which of her sons would give voice to her indignation : 
nor did she look in vain. 

A young lawyer from the county of Hanover, with 
neither birth, wealth nor connections to recommend 
him, came forward. This was Patrick Henry, whose 
name as an orator wull go down side by side with that 
of Demosthenes ; and there is no person in history the 
study of whose character should give more encourage- 
ment to the young. He had not even enjoyed the 
advantage of a first-rate education ; he Avas awkward 
and ungainly in appearance, and had a natural in- 
dolence to contend against, which made success doubly 
difiicult ; but with all this, he had a thirst for knowledge 
which was unconquerable. History was his favorite 
study, particularly that of his native State. With this 
he made himself perfectly familiar, from the time that 
James the First gave the charter to the London Com- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 155 

pany, down to the present; and thus fortified by a 
knowledge of her past, when Virginia wanted help he 
was ready to give it. The question of the right of 
England to tax her colonies was being discussed in the 
Assembly of Virginia. There were many eloquent men 
in this body, but still there was something wanting. It 
was a serious matter to oppose England. It was not 
only the love of a child for a mother which made Virginia 
pause to think, but the knowledge that the opposition 
to her would produce a struggle from which the boldest 
shrank, and which many thought had better be avoided, 
even by allowing the right of England to tax the colony. 
Fortunately this was not the opinion of all. The colonies 
now resembled a smouldering fire which only required 
a strong breath to kindle into a flame. This breath 
was supplied by the news which reached Virginia 
that the Parliament of England had passed a law 
known as the " Stamp Act." In these days it is not 
difficult to understand what this was. You all know 
that every article which is purchased from a store has 
a stamp upon it; that many business papers and instru 
ments of writing are not worth anything unless they 
have a stamp upon them ; but you do not know pro- 
bably that these stamps are a tax which the Government 
levies upon all articles. The United States issues these 
stamps, and sells them to the people ; the money thus 
obtained is put into the Treasury, and provides a fund 
for the paj^ment of the debt of the country. I have 
nothing to say against this plan : it is perhaps the best 
that could be devised ; and every American is interested 
in having the debts of the country paid, and no one 
feels sensibly the few cents which these stamps cost. 
But when England made it a laAv that America should 
buy her stamps and use them they determined to resist. 



156 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



The Virginians were a proud race, and very jealous 
of any attack upon their liberties. It was not the 
money that they cared for, but it was the principle in- 
volved in the matter The}^ would willingly have voted a 
large sum to assist England in paying her debts, but they 
knew that this small tax was but the first link in the chain 
which was to bmd them as slaves to the mother country. 
Admit her right to levy this upon them, and it would be 
followed by a larger and a larger tax until the burden 

would become , 
intolerable. 
Kor was Vir- 
ginia alone in 
this opinion ; 
the voice of 



indignation 
rose from all 
the colonies. 
When the 
Stamp Act 
was issued in 
Boston, it was 
seized torn in 
pieces and 
trampled un- 
der foot. The 

Virginia lawyers declared that they would rather give 
up their profession than use the stamps ; and when 
the Eno-lish asrent arrived to distribute them, he was so 
rudely treated that he was obliged to seek i^afety in 
^ight, These are the circumstances which prepared the 
way for the great orator, Patrick Henry. As I have 
s^id tjie Virginia Assembly met to discuss this act. I 




PATRICK HENRY. 



niSTOEY OF VIRGINIA. 



157 



will tell you something about a few of the great men of 
the Assembly, whose names should live in the history of 
Yirginia. There was liichard Henry Lee, who was called 
the Cicero of Virginia, from his great reputation as an 
orator, and from his appearance, which was formed in 
the Eoman mould. He had lost one of his hands, by an 
accident, and ho al- 
ways wore a silken 
bandage over it, 
which is said to 
have added to, rath- 
er than taken from, 
the effect of hisman« 
ner. He was so 




RICHARD HENRY LEE. 

Then there 



graceful that many 
thought he must 
practise speaking 
before a mirror. 
Next came Peyton 
Handolph, the At. 
torney-General, who 
was no orator, yet 

a man of much learning and influence, 
was Itichard Bland, who was a wise statesman, but 
a better writer than speaker. Last I will mention 
Edmund Pendleton, who was left an orphan, j^oor 
and uneducated, and who, after ploughing all day, pur- 
sued his studies at night, working hard, and spend- 
ing all that he could spare, from his earnings, in books. 
He had no skill as a writer, but spoke with great power. 
These were the sons whom Virginia called around her 
in her time of trouble. In front of, and greater than 
them all, stood Patrick Henry. Ho was tAvcnty-eight 



158 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

years old when he became a member of the House of 
Burgesses, to which he had not been elected, but one 
of the members resigned his place and gave it to him, 
in order that he might speak upon this great subject. 
tie found the House divided into two parties ; one advo- 
cating submission in the matter of the Stamp Act, and 
the other opposed to it. Finding that the party for 
submistiion was about to pass the Stamp Act, he took 
out his pencil and wrote upon a leaf of an old book 
some resolutions which he presented to the House. They 
set forth the facts that Virginians had a right to all the 
privileges of English subjects; that having no represen- 
tatives in Parliament, they should not be taxed by 
Parliament; that the right of these colonies to tax 
themselves had always been recognized by the Kings 
and Parliaments of England ; and last, that no one had 
a right to tax Virginians but the General Assembly 
of Virginia, and were such a thing allowed it would 
destroy American freedom. These were the boldest 
words which had ever been uttered in that place, and 
the bravest hearts shrunk from the results which might 
follow them. A stormy discussion took place, in the 
midst of which Patrick Henry rose. The party op- 
posing him laughed almost without reserve at his ap- 
jiearance. He was plainly, even coarsely dressed, and 
awkward his figure and manner, formed a striking 
contrast to the fashionable gallants, who filled the 
House, with their powdered hair and rufiied shirt- 
fronts. Their amusement did not last long, for soon a 
great change came over the speaker; his eye kindled 
as ho warmed with his subject, his form became 
erect, and even graceful, his voice thrilled like 
music as he spoke as no Virginian had ever dared 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



159 



do before, of the wrongs of the colony and the dangers 
which lay before her. Kot a sound broke the stillness; 
every eye was turned upon him as he painted Virginia 
in chains to the power of England. The blood ran cold 
in their veins as they listened. It seems a pity that 
this wonderful speech was not preserved; no one thought 




PATRICK HENRY BEFORE THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES. 

of Avriting it out as he uttered it, and only a portion of 
it has come down to us. *' Cffisar," he cried, " had his 
Brutus, Charles I. his Cromwell, and George III. — " 
Here he was interrupted by loud cries of " Treason f 
treason ! " He knew that ho stood upon the brink of 
a precipice ; Yirginia was not yet able to bear the 
daring words he would have uttered ; he did not loan 



160 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

his self-command, but straightening himself up, he con- 
tinued, " and George III. may profit by their example. 
If this be treason, make the most of it." The effect 
of this speech is best known by its result — the reso- 
lutions passed by a majority of one. At the door of the 
house, listening with delight to this speech, stood a 
student of William and Mary College. It was Thomas 
Jefferson, who afterwards wrote the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. The news of the adoption of these resolu- 
tions spread like wild-fire, and caused intense excitement 
throughout the whole country. The other colonies 
adopted similar resolutions, and determined that nothing 
bearing the stamp of England should come into the 
country. Clubs were formed named " The Sons of 
Liberty," and the members bound themselves by an oath 
to resist oppression. Massachusetts proposed that all of 
the colonies should send delegates to Kew York in 
October to consult about the best means to be adopted 
in this crisis. This was the first American Congress. 
The States heretofore had separate governments, and 
this was the first time they united for a common defence. 

On the first of November, the day fixed upon for the 
Stamp Act to take effect, signs of indignation and mur- 
muring were visible everywhere. In Boston a funeral, 
which they called the Funeral of Liberty, took place ; 
mufiled drums beat dead marches, the bells were tolled, 
and long processions of black-robed mourners passed 
through the streets following a coffin, which was 
solemnly interred. 

"When the news of this opposition reached England, 
it created a great excitement in Parliament. Many 
members thought America was perfectly right in her 
course, and one of them, William Pitt, rose from a sick- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 161 

bed to make a speech in behalf of the Americans. 
" We are told," said he, " that America is obstinate, 
America is in open rebellion. I rejoice that America 
has resisted oppression ; three millions of people so 
dead to all feelings of liberty as voluntarily to submit 
to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make 
slaves of all the rest." The result of American firm- 
ness was, that England repealed the Act, that is, did 
away with it ; and the Americans, strengthened by 
this triumph, determined that they never again would 
submit to a wrong from England. 

For some time after this affairs went on quietly in 
Yirgmia. Governor Fauquier died, and was succeeded by 
N orborno Berkley, Baron of Botetourt, who was chosen 
as Governor of Virginia because it was supposed that 
he would check rebellion and see the Kinir's com- 
mands enforced. He was a good and a great man, 
loved his new people, and was continually perplexed 
by the desire to obey his King, and yet do justice to 
those over whom he ruled. 

Notwithstanding all the trouble about the Stamp 
Act, England still debated how she could make the 
colonies help to pay her debts. Virginia had also 
another complaint to make. There had for many 
years existed a law that when a person was accused 
of crime in Virginia, he should be sent all the way 
over to England to be tried. The year after Lord 
Botetourt was appointed Governor of Virginia, the 
General Assembly passed two resolutions: first, that 
Virginia would no longer submit to bo taxed by Eng- 
land, nor would she send criminals to England to bo 
tried. Now though the Governor knew perfectly well 
that the Assembly was right in this, yet he thouo-ht 



162 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

that his duty to the King compelled him to take 
notice of, what seemed rebellion against his authority. 
He told the Assembly that he had heard of their 
resolutions, but that his duty was not to countenance 
rebellion, therefore he dissolved the Assembly. It 
had always been the custom, when the Assembly w^as 
dissolved, for the members to return quietly to their 
homes ; but the spirit of freedom and independence 
was now aroused, and instead of dispersing, they met 
at a private house in Williamsburg, and resolved that 
they would not bring into the country anything from 
England upon which a tax was laid. Copies of these 
resolutions were sent all through the country, and 
the other colonies joined Virginia in making the same 
resolution. Now it is one thing to resolve and another 
thing to perform. Americans did both. Glass, lead, 
paper and tea had been taxed, and not one of these 
articles was permitted to be brought to America. So 
determined were the colonists, that when some time 
afterwards a vessel loaded with tea entered Boston har- 
bor, a number of citizens who feared the people might 
be tempted by a sight of the commodity, disguised 
themselves as Indians, went on board the ship in the 
night, and threw overboard three hundred and forty-two 
chests of tea, and then returned to their homes. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. What is a very important duty of the writer of the History 

of Virginia? 

2. Wlio was the great military hero of Virginia? 

3. What condition of utf.iirs iu her colony called for other 

weapons than the sword ? 

4. What effect had tlie submission of Virginia to the navigation 

laws produced ? 

5. What did she do iu her dilemma ? 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 163 



6. "Who was Patrick Ilenry? 

7. Wliy should )iis life be r.ii encouragement to the young? 

8. What circuinslauces fitted him to becoiaae the deleuaer of 

Virginia? 

9. "What considerations had prevented the men of Virginia from 

resisting the oppressions of England? 

10. Explain what the ".stamp Act" was. 

11. Svhy did Viigiuia determine to resist the executiou of the 

Stamp Act? 

12. How was it received in the other colonies? 

13. What of Richard Henry J.ee? 

14. What of Peyton Randolph and Richard Bland? 
l.j. What of Edmund I'endleton? 

16. How did Patrick Ilenry get a seat in the House of Burgesses? 

17. What division of opinion did he find in the House? 
JH. What resolutions did he present to tbe House? 

19. How were they received ? 

20. Describe the orator's appearance. 

21. What change came over liira when he began to speak? 

22. Repeat a portion of liis speech. 

23. What etrect did it have? 

24. Who wan the student listening at the door? 

25. "NVliat effect did the news of these events have through the 

country ? 

26. Tell of the first American Congress. 

27. What wns done in LSoslon? 

28. What effect did these events have upon England? 

29. Wlio succeeded Lord Fauquier? 

30. Of what other grievance did Virginia complain? 

31. What steps did she take in tlie matter? 

32. What did the G )vernor do? 
S3. Did the Assembly disperse? 

34. Did America act as well as resolve? 

35. What decisive step was taken at Boston? 



CHAPTEE XXI. 
1774. 



This year died Lord Botetourt, beloved and respected 
by all who knew him. His death was doubtless hastened 
by the troubles and perplexities of his position. The 
people of Virginia showed their appreciation of his 
worth by erecting a monument to him at Williamsburg, 
and naming after him one of the most beautiful counties 
in the State. lie was succeeded by Lord Dunmore, who 
stands lowest of all the Governors of Virginia. He was 
not only harsh and rude in his manners, but j)crfectly 



164 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Unprincipled in his morals, and haughty and tyrannical 
in the extreme. lie came to Virginia accompanied by 
a favorite, Captain Foy, and with the determination to 
draw from the people, by every means in his power, both 
fair and unfair, money to enrich himself and his friend. 
But the Virginians were not so easy to deal with as he 
had expected. The Assembly investigated closely, and 
refused to sanction his attempts to cheat the people out 
of their property. His next project was to bring on a war 
between Virginia and Pennsylvania about their bounda- 
ries, thinking that if he could inflame the States against 
each other, they would not be able to join together to 
oppose England, and besides, would be so much in- 
terested in this quarrel, that he would be at liberty to 
carry out his own private plans without hiolestation. 
Again he was mistaken. The colonies were more 
closely drawn together than ever before, by a common 
interest, and this was the resistance of oppression. The 
difference between Virginia and Pennsylvania was peace- 
fully settled; and hearing that, as a punishment to the 
Boston people for throwing the tea overboard, her port 
was closed, and no vessel permitted either to come in 
or go out (thus cutting off her trade), the Virginians, 
at the next meeting of the Assembly, offered resolutions 
expressing sympathy for their oppressed brethren. Lord 
Dunmore, in a great rage, immediately dissolved the 
Assembly ; but, instead of dispersing as he had intended, 
they adjourned to the Baleigh Tavern, and there, in 
indignant terms, denounced tea as the source of all their 
troubles, and declared their purpose not to send one 
pound of tobacco to England until the port of Boston 
was opened. 
In the meantime, Governor Punmore's schemes to 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 165 

produce a diversion from himself and his affairs had 
revived' a fearful evil, which perhaps even he did not in- 
tend. The Indian war-whoop was again heard upon 
the frontiers, and again were defenceless men, women 
and children flying from their savage foe. Reports of 
these horrors thrilled all hearts at Williamsburg. The 
white men seem to have commenced these outrages; 
one Captain Cresap had headed a fearful massacre of 
the Indians, in which the entire family of a great chief 
named Logan had been killed. Logan had been a w^arm 
friend to the white man, and had done all in his power 
to keep the peace between the Americans and his own 
race; but this outrage aroused his savage nature, and 
he himself led his tribes to the war and wreaked his 
vengeance upon the frontier settlements. An army was 
raised and placed under the command of General Lewis, 
who marched to Point Pleasant, where the Kanawha 
river empties into the Ohio. Here he remained some 
time without seeing the Indians ; but one day two 
young men, venturing out for the purpose of hunt- 
ing, were suddenly attacked by a large body of 
Indians ; one was killed, and the other fled wounded 
to the camp to rouse his comrades. In a few mo- 
ments the whole force was under arms. The Indian 
war-whoop was heard, and fifteen hundred savages 
came yelling like an army of demons. They were 
led on by a gigantic warrior named Cornstalk, whose 
great skill and cruelty were well known. The In- 
dians now understood the use of fire-arms almost as 
well as the Americans, and a terrible fire poured 
from their ranks, which killed and wounded many 
of the whites. Colonel Charles Lewis, a brother 
of the General, was mortally wounded, and only con- 



166 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

trived to drag himself within the camp before he ex- 
pired. When all seemed lost, a reinforcement arrived 
under Colonel Flemming, who ordered the army 
to adoj)t the Indian method of shooting from behind 
trees. Instantly, as if by magic, both armies dis- 
appeared, and little was seen of the fight except the 
flash of fire-arms. The hrge figure of Cornstalk glided 
from tree to tree, encouraging his men ; and his loud 
voice was heard above the din of battle, calling out " Be 
strong ! be strong I " 

Colonel Flemming received two balls through his 
wrist and one through his lungs, but still continued 
cheering on his men. The firing continued all day, and 
the loss of life was terrible. By the advice of Colonel 
Flemming, the Virginians adopted a very cunning strat- 
agem. Holding up their hats from behind the trees, 
when the Indians fired they let them fall; the In- 
dians thinking they were men, rushed forward with 
their scalping-knives, only to bo shot down by the 
"Virginians. At length the Indians began to give way ; 
the Virginians having been reinforced by Colonel Field, 
who was killed while leading the pursuit. The Indians 
fought for ever}' inch of ground as they retreated, and 
it was not until after sunset that the}'- withdrew. Corn- 
stalk himself brought up the rear, and with his own 
hand struck dead one of his men who showed signs of 
cowardice. This victory, though complete, was dearly 
bought, the Yirginians having lost one hundred and 
forty men, among whom were many valuable oflicers. 

Lord Dunmore, who had promised to join Lewis, in- 
stead of doing so took another direction ; and immedi- 
ately after the battle, an order came for Lewis to join 
him at Shawneetown, eighty miles further on, as he had 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 1G7 

succeeded in securing a treaty of peace with the savages. 
General Lewis at first refused to obey, as ho did not 
think the Indians meant peace, but at length yielded to 
Governor Dunmore, only stipulating that every precau- 
tion should be taken to prevent treachery. The Indians 
were encamped within their fortifications, from which 
only eighteen besides their chiefs were permitted to pass 
at a time ; and they were forced to deposit their arms 
with the guard at the gate. The negotiation was opened 
by Cornstalk, who made a long speech in a loud tone 
of voice, which was heard all over the camp. He ac- 
cused the Virginians of commencing the war by their 
massacres, which was undoubtedly true; after this the 
terms of the treaty were settled, and the prisoners on 
both sides delivered up. It was observed that Logan, 
the great Canga chief, was not present at this interview; 
but although he would not personally have anything to 
do with those who had murdered his family, yet on 
account of his people he consented to the peace. While 
the treaty was going on, a man appeared bearing in his 
hand a letter with the signature of Logan ; he found it 
tied to a war-club in a cabin at some distance from the 
camp. It was addressed to Lord Dunmore, and was 
afterwards published throughout England and Amer- 
ica. It is considered one of the finest specimens of 
savage eloquence that was ever penned. I give it 
to you complete, because I am sure that its simple 
pathos must touch the hearts of all who read it : 

'' I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered 
Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat ; if 
ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. 
During the course of the last long and bloody war, 
Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. 



1G8 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen 
pointed as they passed, and said 'Logan is the friend 
of white men.' I had even thought to have lived with 
you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, 
the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered 
all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women 
and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in 
the veins of any living creature. This called on me for 
revenge. I have sought it ; I have killed many ; I have 
fully glutted my vengeance ; for my country I rejoice 
at the beams of -pcixce. But do not harbor a thought 
that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. lie 
will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there 
to mourn for Logan? — Not one." 

But a more obstinate contest was in progress than 
that with the Indians. Thick clouds were swiftly gath- 
erinir, which were to burst in the storms of Avar between 
England and America. Notwithstanding the remon- 
strances of patriots on both sides of the water, notwith- 
standing the firm determination, strictly adhered to by 
the colonists, not to send anything to England or to 
receive anything from England until their grievances 
were removed, still the evil increased rather than 
diminished. 

In the month of March of this same year, the Vir- 
ginia Convention met at Eichmond, which was then a 
small town of wooden houses built over the hills which 
sloped down to the river. Upon what is now called 
Church Hill there stands an old wooden church, with 
which some of you at least are familiar. It was in this 
very building that the Convention met, to deliberate 
upon the course to bo pursued in the gathering crisis. 
Virginia had not yet acknowledged, even to herself, 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



109 




170 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

that war was inevitable ; but Avhen day after day ships 
arrived from En£;land bringing armed troops, which were 
quartered in the town ; when over the waters of Chesa- 
peake Bay she saw the English vessels of war hovering 
upon her coast, she knew that if liberty was to be pre- 
served, she must, without delay, put herself in a i:)Osture 
of defence ; and it was for the purpose of consulting upon 
the best mode of doing this that the Convention had 
now assembled. It Avas composed of representatives 
from all the different counties in the State ; and it is 
interestino: and instructive to read the bold instruc- 
tions which the hardy patriots at home dared to give 
to these delegates. 

I^ave now before me a curious relic of this time. 
It is a document printed on white satin, and contains 
the instructions from the free-holders of Augusta County 
to their representatives to this Convention. The satin 
is yellow Avith age, but the principles imprinted upon it 
should ever remain fresh in the breasts of freemen. It 
was in effect, a declaration of their determination to be 
a free people. After expressing loyalty and attachment 
to their Sovereign, the King of England, the men of 
Augusta declare that their fathers left their native land 
and came to the wilderness to enjoy liberty of con- 
science and the rights of human nature, and these 
rights they were fully determined should never be sur- 
rendered to any Parliament or body of men on earth in 
which they were not represente(kyNor did Augusta 
etand alone; other counties gave similar instructions 
to their delegates. So that the body of men who 
gathered in convention at Richmond, went strength- 
ened by the knowledge that whatever course might be 
decided upon for the defence of Yirginia, the people 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 171 

at homo were ready to lay down their purses and their 
lives to accomplish it. 

Patrick Henry proposed that the citizens of the differ- 
ent counties should be formed into military companies 
and drilled in the arts of war. This looked so much 
like threatening England, that the more timid members 
drew back in alarm. " What is the use," said they, " of 
taking a bold stand which we have no means of main- 
taining ? Without soldiers, without arms, and without 
officers, shall we attempt to contend against the strong- 
est military j^ower in the world ? " Acknowledging 
their loyalty to England, they pictured the comforts 
and luxuries they might continue to enjoy, were only 
peaceful means used to assert their rights. 

Then outspoke that voice of Yirgmia, Patrick Henry, v 
Turning his 2:)iercing eyes from one member of the 
the Convention to another, he thrilled every heart with 
his fiery eloquence. I wish I could give you his whole 
speech ; I feel sure that your hearts too would glow 
with the enthusiasm which moved him. He bcsoujrht 
the members to give up at once the idea that the storm 
of war could by any means be averted; he reminded 
them how again and again they had prostrated them- 
selves before the throne of England, petitioning simply 
for their rights, and had met with nothing but disregard 
and insult; if they wished to be free, they must fight, 
and He who had declared that the " race is not to the 
swift nor the battle to the strong " would help them in 
their helplessness, and raise up friends for them in their 
weakness. His wonderful speech closed Avith these 
memorable words : " Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, 
as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery ? 
Forbid it, Almighty God 1 I know not what course 



172 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give 
mo death I " Not a sound broke the stillness as the 
great orator took his seat. His words had reached 
cver}^ heart ; there were no timid men now in the Con- 
vention ; all were ready to give up their lives in the de- 
fence of liberty. Mr. Henry's proposition was adopted ; 
men from every county were enrolled in the army of 
Virginia, and trained with all diligence in military duties. 
But these preparations had scarcely begun before news 
arrived which still more fired the hearts of the Vir- 
ginians. A battle had been fought on the plains of 
Lexington, in Massachusetts, between the British forces 
and the Massachusetts militia, in which the first blood 
of the Eevolutionary War was shed. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. What Is the date of these events ? 

2. What probably caused tlie death of Lord Botetourt? 

3. "W hat was the character of his successor, and how did he seek 

to accomplish his euds ? 

4. Did lie succeed in his schemes? 

5. Why did he dissolve the Assembly, and did they disperse at 

his bidding? 

6. "What fearful evil did Dunmore's schemes bring upon Vir- 

ginia? 
•7. What did Colonel Cresap do? 

8, Who was Logan ? 

9. To what point did Colonel Lewis conduct his men ? 

10. Give an account of the battle of Point Pleasant. 

11. Which side gained the victory? 

12. Give an account of the treaty at Shannestown. 
1.3. How did Logan act? 

14. Read aloud his letter to Lord Dunmore. 

15. What diffli;ultieswere gathering over America? 

16. Wliere did the Virginia Convention assemble? 

17. Give an account of the condition of affairs in Virginia. 

18. Wlio composed the Convention? 

19. What instructions did Augusta and other counties give their 

representatives ? 

20. What wa<» Patrick: Henry's proposition, and how was it re- 

ceived? 

21. What did Patrick Henry answer? 

22. Give the closing words of liis speech. 

23. What was the result of liis eloquence? 

24. What news from Massachusetts still more fi,red the hearts 

of the Virginians ? 



HISTORY OF VIKGINIA. 173 



CHAPTER XXII. 

1775. 

"When the news of the proceedings of the Convention, 
followed closely by that of the battle in Massachusetts, 
reached Lord Dunmore, he became alarmed, and de- 
termined, as far as he could, to take from the Virginians 
the power of resistance. There was, in the city of Wil- 
liamsburg, a magazine containing a quantity of j^owder 
which belonged to the colony. In the dead of night a 
body of armed sailors came up to the city, and, by order 
of Lord Dunmore, removed twenty barrels of powder 
to their vessel, which lay in York river. This caused 
the most intense excitement in Williamsburg. Groups 
of men, with gloomy and angry faces, gathered in knots 
about the streets. The Common Council sent an address 
to the Governor, asking an explanation ; they reminded 
him that the powder had been placed in the magazine 
for public use, and that he knew, moreover, that if their 
slaves who had been urged by wicked persons to in- 
surrection, should now rise, the people would bo 
utterly defenceless. Governor Dunmore returned a 
inost unsatisfactory answer, and when, a short time 
afterwards, he heard that the citizens Avere in arras, in 
a great passion he swore that if a hair of his head, or 
of those who had been instrumental in taking away the 
powder, was touched, ho Avould himself arm the slaves 
and burn Williamsburg to the ground. 

Those who knew Lord Dunmore best, knew that tkis 
was no vain threat ; ho was wicked enough to commit 
this or any other outrage ; but this knowledge, instead 
of allaying, increased the excitement, and as the newa 



174 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



spread through the country it roused indignation every- 
where. A party of citizens entered the magazine at 
ni<i-ht, and took from it a number of pistols, muskets, 
and other military articles. 

There were, at this time, lying in the waters of Vir- 
ginia, a number of English war vessels. One of them, 
"The Fowey," was in York river, directly opposite 
Yorktown. As soon as the arms were removed from 
the magazine, Lord Dunmore sent a messenger to the 
captain of the Fowey, asking him to send a body of 
armed men to protect him in his palace. This request 
was complied with, and after the departure of the 
troops, the captain of the Fowey addressed a letter to 
Thomas Nelson, a prominent citizen of Yorktown, who 
had been very active in soothing the discontent among 
the people and upholding the authority of the King 
in the colony. The letter informed Mr. Nelson of Lord 
Dunmore's request and his compliance with it, and then 
went on to express a hope that they would meet with 
no molestation in Williamsburg, as it was his determin- 
ation, in such an event, to open his guns upon York- 
town, which was full of defenceless women and children. 
You will easily understand the barbarity of this deter- 
mination, when you consider that the people of York- 
town were in no way responsible for the acts of the 
people of AYilliamsburg, i»nd that it Avas too late for 
them to protect themselves by an appeal to them, as the 
sailors had already gone to Williamsburg. 

Patrick Henry watched the progress of affairs with 
intense interest. lie believed that the time had 
arrived for active measures, and allowed himself to be 
placed in command of a body of volunteers, organized 
for the purpose of retaking the powder which Lord 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 175 

Dunmore had stolen. The eifect was magicah His 
name aroused the enthusiasm of the entire country. 
Companies of horse and foot flocked to his standard, 
and in a short time not less than five thousand men 
were in arms, ready to march at a moment's warning, 
and to undertake any work he might order. 

Lord Dunmore was alarmed, and sent a messenger to 
Mr. Henry, offering to pay for the powder which had 
been taken. This being the object which they were 
determined to accomplish, Mr. Henry and his men, after 
receiving the money, disbanded and returned in triumph 
to their homes. This incident, though it ended peace- 
fully, convinced the Governor and the British Ministry 
that Virginia was in earnest, and that it was dangerous 
to trifle with her earnestness. In the hope of allay- 
ing the excitement, Lord Dunmore summoned a meeting 
of the Assembly on the first day of June. This was 
the last meeting of the House of Burgesses ; the next 
time these patriots assembled it was as a Legislature, 
to make laws for their government without regard to 
royal authority. 

In obedience to this summons, the Burgesses arrived 
in Williamsburg, when their serious, resolved faces 
showed their sense of coming danger. Many of them 
wore hunting-shirts, and brought in their hands the 
rifles which were afterwards used upon the field of 
battle. At the opening of the session the Governor 
made a very courteous speech, in which he said that 
England was ready to hold out the olive branch of 
peace, provided the Virginians would agree to pay their 
proportion of the public debt of the mother country. 
If this offer had been made at an earlier period, there 
is little doubt that it would have been acce^^ted ; but 



176 HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. 



Yirginia began to be conscious of her strength, and was 
in no mood to be conciliated by half measures. Thomas 
Jefferson presentea a paper to the Ilouse, in which he 
declared that the people of Yirginia had a right to 
bestow their money where they pleased, and that they 
would not be forced by taxation or otherwise to pour 
it into the treasury of England, who had invaded their 
country by sea and land, and from whom they had 
nothing to expect but injustice and opprebsion. but in 
spite of whom they intended, by the help of Heaven, 
to gain their rights. 

Soon after this, the Virginians were further inflamed 
by the discovery of an infamous plot of Lord Dun- 
more's, for destroying his opponents in tne Assembly. 
On the night of the 5th of June several young men 
went into the magazine at Williamsbnrg for the purpose 
of getting arms. As the}^ passed the door a cord at- 
tached to it fired off a spring-gun, by which one of the men 
had his shoulder torn to pieces, and another lost three 
of his fingers. AYhen this catastrophe became known, 
the fact was recalled that Lord Dunmore had always 
kept the key of the magazine, and had that very day 
ofiiciously insisted upon giving it into the possession of 
the Ilouse of Burgesses, in order that they might inves- 
tigate the removal of the gunpowder. Suspicion being 
thus aroused, an examination was forthwith made, and 
the diabolical plot revealed itself Three or four barrels 
of gunpowder were found concealed under the floor of 
the magazine, intended to be iised doubtless as a mine 
to blow up the committee appointed to investigate the 
matter of the powder removal. The indignation of the 
people at this discovery was extreme, and there is no 
telling what punishment they might not have inflicted 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 177 

upon the wicked Governor, had he not taken the alarm and 
fled from the palace with his wife and servants. He took 
refuge on board the Fowey at Yorktown. The House of 
Burgesses dispatched a message to him, assuring him of 
safety, and of their readiness to unite with him in re- 
storing order to the country. He could not be induced 
to trust his precious person in their hands, but sent the 
House an insolent order to come on board the Fowey 
to consult with him there. Of course this was declined; 
all correspondence between Hunmore and the Assembly 
ceased, and soon afterwards the House of Burgesses 
adjourned. With it passed away forever the royal 
authority in Virginia. Before their separation, the 
members agreed to meet in convention at Eichmond, 
and there they instituted vigorous measures for arming 
Yirginia. War was no longer a matter of doubt. "Wash- 
ington (who may be termed the sword of Yirginia, as 
Patrick Henry was her tongue and Thomas Jefferson 
her pen) was with the main army in the North, where 
the Eevolution had fairly commenced. Arrangements 
for the defence of Yirginia were not begun a moment 
too soon, for the malignant and treacherous Dunmoro 
was taking every step for her total ruin. He had sailed 
out of York river in the Fowey, and had fixed his head- 
quarters at Norfolk, then the most flourishing town in 
Yirginia. Under his command, besides the Fowey, 
were three other vessels — the Mercury, the Kingfisher, 
and the Otto — besides a number of smaller vessels. 
Kow look on your maps for Norfolk; a short distance off, 
and at the end of the peninsular between York and James 
rivers, you will see the little town of Hampton. Hero 
the first battle in Yirginia was fought. For some 
time the small vessels of Lord Dunmoro had been 
8* 



178 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

harassing the coast, plundering the people and de- 
stroying their property, and the town of Hampton was 
daily expecting an attack. The people made such 
simple arrangements for their defence as their limited 
means allowed. Kemember that Virginia had no navy 
and no regularly organized army, and was in these 
respects no match for the English under Lord Dunmore. 
But the battle is not always with the strong, and 
vigilance, activity, and bravery in a good cause some- 
times make up for the difference in numbers. 

Colonel Woodford, with the Culpeper riflemen, num- 
bering one hundred men, hearing of the expected at- 
tack, marched all night through a heavy rain, and at 
eight o'clock on the morning of the twenty-fifth of 
October was ready to aid the gallant militia at Hamp- 
ton in repelling the attack. He found them embold. 
ened by a slight success they had met with, the day 
before, when six tenders full of armed men under 
Captain Squires, had approached the town, and not ex- 
pecting any opposition, had landed under a heavy fire 
to cover their attack. To their surprise, they were 
received by a shower of rifle-bullets; marksmen con. 
cealed behind fences and in the town poured a precise 
and deadly fire upon them, and they were glad to 
escape to their boats, Avhich they did not accomplish 
without the loss of a great many men. The Yirginians, 
reinforced by Colonel Woodford and his riflemen, 
awaited quietly the second attack. They had sunk ob- 
structions in the river immediately in front of the town, 
but these the British removed in the night, and in 
the morning they discovered the fleet drawn up in the 
harbor with the guns bearing upon the town. Do 
not forgetj that in this fight the Yirginians had no fire- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



179 



arms but their rifles to oppose the English cannon. 
When the cannonade commenced, the riflemen drew 




ATTACK ON HAMPTON. 

close to the water's edge, and concealing thcmselvea 
f^ohind trees, bushes, houses and fences, opened their 
unerring fire upon the Britisl; vessels, The men at the 



180 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



guns were killed, and not a sailor touched a sail with- 
out being shot by the deadly balls from the Virginia 
rifles. Soon confusion was manifested upon the British 
decks. It was impossible to guide the vessels or to man 
the guns, because of the fatal precision of the Virginia 
riflemen. In dismay, the British tried to draw off and 
make their escape into the Bay. Some succeeded, but 
two of the tenders drifted ashore and were captured, 
with a great many prisoners. There can bo no doubt 
as to which was the victorious party in this the first 
battle of the Bevolution upon the soil of Virginia; it 
was with great difficulty that any of the vessels escaped. 
A number of men went down to a narrow channel to 
oppose the egress of the British into the Bay, and the 
whole fleet would have been captured but for the report 
that a large body of the British were advancing from 
another direction. The Virginians retreated and the 
vessels escaped. 

Soon afterwards, an attack, made by Dunmore upon 
Jamestown, was repelled with great spirit. Alaj-med at 
the boldness everywhere manifested, and seeing the 
great necessity for striking a blow that would 
create terror and discouragement, Dunmore left 
Norfolk and went to Princess Ann county, to cap- 
ture some cannon which belonged to the colonists. 
He took with him a large force, composed of regulars, 
fugitive slaves, and Tories (the name given to those who 
took the part of England against their own country- 
men). Encountering a body of Virginia militia under 
Colonel Ilutchings, they attacked them suddenly, threw 
them into confusion, the Virginians retreated, leaving 
Colonel Hutchings wounded upon the field. 

You would think from Lord Dunmore's exulta- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 181 

tion over this slight success that all opposition had 
been overcome; and, emboldened by it, he issued a 
proclamation commanding everybody to return to their 
allegiance to His Majesty, the King, under penalty of 
being declared traitors and having their property con- 
fiscated. This, so far from striking terror to the hearts 
of the colonists, as he expected it would do, had just 
the opposite effect ; for the Virginians everywhere left 
their ordinary employments and flocked to arms, and 
the difficulty of the committee on military affairs was 
not how to obtain men, but to furnish them arms and 
ammunition. 



Questions for Examination. 

1. In what year did these events take place? 

2. What effect did tlie news have ou Lord Dunmore ? 

3« Wliat steps did Ve taice to reduce the Virginians to helpless- 
ness? 

4. What did the Council do, and what reply did Dunmore 
make ? 

R. What effect did this have upon the citizens? 

6. What was Lord Dunmore's next step, and how was he aided 

lu liis designs by the Captain of tlie Fowey ? 

7. How did I atricls. Henry interlere at this juncture, and with 

wliat effect? 

8. What was tbe effect of these proceedings on the Governor ? 

9. Give an account of the meeting of the House of Burgesses. 
1«. Did they accept terms from England? 

11. What plot WIS now discovered, and how? 

12. Wiiat did Lord Dunmore do? 

1S» Give an account of the adjournnaent of the last House of 

Burgesses. 
14. How did the people of Virginia employ themselves? 

13. Who were th-i three most influential men in Virginia, and 

how may they be described ? 

16. What was Lord Dunmore's situation? 

17. Give an account of the first battle of the Revolution in Vir 

ginia. 

18. Whiclv side had the advantage in numbers and munitions 

of war? 
10. Who commanded the Virginians? 
29. Which side gained the victory? 
31. Wlio were the Tories? 

2i. What slight advantage did Dunmore soon after (zriln f 
23. What effect did this Buccess have upon the opposing parties? 



182 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



CHAPTEPv XXIIL 
1775. 

An event now occurred which exasperated the people 
still more against the infamous Dunmore. A man 
named Connell}^, who was suspected of carrying com- 
munications from Dunmore to the British commander, 
General Grage, at Boston, was arrested at Hagerstown, 
Maryland. Upon searching his baggage, a large sum 
of money was found, and the outline of a scheme for 
the ruin of Virginia. There was a letter from Dunmore, 
addressed to White-Eyes, an Indian chief, written in 
the figurative and flowery style which he supposed 
would please the Indians. lie begs his " dear brother, 
Captain White-Eyes," to call together Cornstalk and all 
the other chiefs, and entreats them to take up the 
hatchet against the "Long Knives" (which was their 
name for the Virginians). As a reward for this, ho 
promised them rich presents and ample protection, in 
addition to the money sent by Connelly. Comment is 
unnecessary ; for how can we sufnciently condemn the 
man who, not content with rousino; the slaves to fio-ht 
against their masters, was now inciting savages to bring 
the tomahawk and scalping-knife upon the defenceless 
inhabitants of Virginia ? Happily his machinations 
were defeated. 

About twelve miles from I^orfolk, the "Great Bridjre" 
crossed a branch of Elizabeth river. It was surrounded 
by a swamp, through which a road led to the city. On a 
little piece of firm ground on the Norfolk side. Lord 
Dunmore had erected a fort which comm.anded the 
bridge. The Virginians took j^ossession of a small 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 183 

villajre, a short distance off. In this state the two 
armies remained for several days, watching each other, 
and prepared to seize upon any circumstance which 
would give one the advantage over the other. Thi&i 
Great Bridge was looked npon as a very importam 
point, commanding the possession of the city of Norfolk- 

In order to precipitate a contest, the Yirginians had 
recourse to a stratagem. A negro boy, belonging c(? 
Major Marshall, was sent to Lord Dunmore. Ho repre- 
sented himself as a deserter, and reported that the Yir- 
ginians had only three hundred '' shirt men," a term used 
to distinguish the patriots, whose only uniform was the 
graceful hunting-sliirt, which afterwards became bo 
celebrated in the Hevolution. Believing this story, Dun- 
more gave vent to his exultation, as he thought that he 
saw before him the opportunity of wreaking vengeance 
upon the Yirginians. He mustered his whole force, and 
gave the order for marching out in the night and 
forcing the breastworks of his hated foe. In order to 
stimulate his troops to desperate deeds he told them 
that the Yirginians were no better than savages, and 
were wanting in courage and determination; that 
in all probability they would not stand fire at all; 
but if by any chance they were permitted to triumph, 
the English need expect no quarter, as they would be 
scalped according to the rules of savage warfare. 

Early in the morning of December 9th, the Yir- 
ginians beheld the enemy advancing towards their 
breastworks. They were commanded by Captain For- 
dyce, a brave officer. Waving his cap over his head, he 
led his men in the face of a terrible fire which ran all 
along the American lines, directly up to the breastworks- 
He received a shot in the knee, and fell forward, but 



184 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

jumping Tip, he brushed his knee as if he had only 
stumbled. In a moment afterwards he fell again, 
pierced by fourteen bullets. The death of their com- 
mander threw everything into confusion. The officer 
next in command to Fordyce was mortally wounded ; 
other officers were prostrate with wounds, and many 
privates had fallen. In this desperate situation a pre- 
cipitate retreat toward their fort at Norfolk was the 
only resource left to the English. But they were not 
allowed to escape without a vigorous pursuit. It was 
conducted by the brave Colonel Stevens, who captured 
many 2:)ri8oners, and, what was still more valuable, two 
pieces of cannon. The loss of the British in this en- 
gag'^ment was one hundred and two killed and wounded. 
One of ihe Yirginians, writing of the scene, says : "I 
saw the horrors of war in perfection, worse than can bo 
imagined: ten and twelve bullets through many, limbs 
broken m two or three places, brains turning out. Good 
God ! what will satisfy the Governor ? The only damage 
to our men was a wound in the finger of one of them." 
After the account they had received of the savage bar- 
barity they might expect from the Yirginians, the 
Eno-lish soldiers who fell into their hands were as- 
tonished to find themselves not only humanely but cour- 
teously treated. One poor fellow who lay wounded 
upon the field, seeing his captor approach, cried out: 
" For God's sake, do not scalp me ! " He was answered: 
" Put 3^our arm around my neck, and I will show you 
what I intend to do." Taking him in his arms, he bore 
him tenderly along till he laid him down within the 
breastworks. The gallant Fordyce was buried with 
military honors. Lieutenant Battul, the second in com- 
mand, wounded and a prisoner, sent a letter under a flag 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 185 

of truce to his comrades, in which he gratefully ac- 
knowledged the kindness and courtesy he had received. 

The Virginia Convention at their next meeting voted 
a letter of approbation to Colonel Woodford, the officer 
in command of the patriots, and instructed him always 
to treat the vanquished with lenity and kindness. 
Such conduct on the part of the Virginians cannot be 
too much admired. The Convention obeyed the Scrip- 
ture injunction to ''return evil with good;" as Dun- 
more had not only heaped insult and contumely upon 
them, but had basely plotted their destruction by 
treachery, fire and sword, by the furious savage and the 
brutal slave. "VVe may well feel proud of a descent from 
such noble and generous spirits as the patriots of the 
Bevolution. 

Nothing could exceed the rage of Lord Dunmore at 
this defeat ; he raved like a madman, and threatened to 
hang the messenger who brought him the tidings, but 
there was no time for the indulgence of passion. Cou- 
riers arrived, saying that Woodford with his men was 
approaching Norfolk, as there was nothing now to ob- 
struct his i^rogress. Men, women and children crowded 
the streets, entreating help ; for during the long occu- 
pation of the city by British troops, the Tories had 
flocked into it from all parts of the State, and naturally 
feared to meet their injured countrymen. But they 
could hope for nothing from Lord Dunmore, who was 
brave enough when danger was at a distance, but whose 
cowardly heart quailed at its approach. lie measured 
his fears by his deserts, and thinking only of his own 
safety, went hastily aboard a man-of-war in the harbor. 
All the Tories who could, took refuge on the English 
fleet. 



186 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.- 

Meanwhile, Woodford had been reinforced by Colonel 
Howe of North Carolina, who brought with him four 
hundred fresh troops. They took possession of Norfolk 
without opposition, and were warmly welcomed by 
those brave citizens who had remained faithful to their 
State in its hour of trial. Woodford issued a proclama- 
tion offering protection to the country people, and 
inviting them to bring their supplies into the town. 
We read of but one punishment meted out to those 
who had been most active in betraying their country. 
Such of them as were taken in arms were sent to 
places of confinement handcuffed with their negro fel- 
low soldiers ; this was considered but just, they having 
fought against their country upon equal terms with 
the negroes. 

It might now be hoped, and naturally expected, that 
Dunmore, having retired from the town, would not seek 
to molest or injure it in any way, j^articularly as he 
knew that a large portion of its inhabitants were 
friendly to him ; but what did he care for his friends ? 
His kindly consideration never went beyond himself. 
He at first contented himself with idle threats and 
clamors for provisions. He had been so long accus- 
tomed to luxuries, that he could ill bear being 
reduced to the naval stores, and reinforced his larder 
constantly by marauding upon the unprotected j^lanta- 
tions and towns upon thd rivers ; but even this did not 
satisfy him, he must have those luxuries which the 
city of Norfolk alone could afPord him, and he sent 
a message to the commanders that he would be sorry 
to fire upon the town, but that he should do so unless 
a 2:)lentiful supply of provisions Avcre sent to him 
and his men. This of course was refused ; but a 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



187 



supply was continually sent for the Captain's private 
table, which did not satisfy the unreasonable com- 
mander, and was made the excuse for burning the 



U 




BURNING OF NORFOLK. 

city of Norfolk to the ground. This 
happened on the first day of January, 
1776, a year which from its beginning 
to its end was replete with momentous 
events to the people of America. Be- 
tween three and four o'clock in the 
afternoon the English opened a heavy 
cannonade upon the devoted city; under 
cover of this, some sailors landed and set fire to a number 
of wooden houses up'on the wharves. The efforts of the 




155 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Americans to stop the conflagration were unsuccessful ; 
the wind was against them and blew fiercely from the 
shore, carrying the burning timbers into the heart of the 
town. The horrors of the scene were heightened by 
the continuous roar of the cannon from the ships and 
the musketry from the shore ; for fighting was going on 
above the ruins of the houses. The intrepid Stevens 
added to his fame in this affair, as he rushed to the 
water's side and drove back a large party of British 
who had just landed, and compelled them amidst 
slaughter to retreat. The fire lasted for three days, 
and nine-tenths of this the most flourishing and richest 
town in Virginia were destroyed. Its beautiful harbor 
and other natural advantages had promoted its growth, 
and wealth had poured in upon it. Such was the great 
catastrophe which deprived four thousand people of 
cheir homes. Those who were truly Virginian, were too 
much interested in the success of their struggle to 
mind mere personal loss. One of these patriots wrote 
to a friend upon this occasion, " We do not care for our 
towns, and the destruction of our houses does not cost 
us a sigh. I have long since given up mine as lost ; and 
I feel such indignation against the authors of our 
calamities, and such concern for the public at large, 
that I cannot think of my own puny person and in- 
significant aflTairs." 

And now the career of the wretched Dunmore was 
happily drawing to a close. His fleet consisted not 
only of men-of-war, but of more than fifty transports, 
filled with unhappy Tories and negroes, and a rabble of 
convicts and other low characters, all of whom had 
to be fed. So he cruised up and down the Bay, landing 
at one place, burning a house, stealing private property 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 189 

at another, and committing depredations of every sort 
after his own fashion. Just at this time Congress 
appointed Major-General Charles Lee to the command 
of the forces in Virginia. lie was an Englishman by 
birth, but a Virginian in feeling, and was well fitted by 
his talents and his bravery for the command to which 
he had been appointed. He saw that the only way 
to deal with Dunmore was to cut off his supplies ; so 
he ordered that all the inhabitants near to the sea-coast, 
with their live-stock and other property, should be 
removed to the interior ; and that any Virginian who 
should be found in correspondence with the enemy 
should be treated as a traitor, and should be sent a 
handcuffed prisoner to Williamsburg. These seemed 
to be harsh measures, but they were necessary com- 
mands, and their wisdom Avas soon evident, for Lord 
Bunmore found himself and companions in imminent 
danger of starvation. But the hrave Dunmore was not 
easily daunted in pursuit of creature comforts. 

There lies at the mouth of the river Piankatank, in 
Matthews county, a beautiful island, now called Gwynn's 
Island. It contains about two thousand acres of land, 
its natural fertility had been greatly improved by culti- 
vation, and it abounded in fruits, cattle, vegetables, fine 
water, and everything that could make it a desirable 
as3^1um for the floating colony of Lord Dunmore. 
General Lee had stationed his vigilant soldiers aloncr 
the shore, to keep watch over the English fleet and pre- 
vent any landing from it. The guards were surprised 
to see the whole flotilla come out of Hampton roads, 
one May morning, and, after sailing in one direction, 
and then in another, until the watchers were completely 
puzzled, suddenly put on all sail and move rapidly up 



190 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

tho Bay. Before the object of these manoeuvres could 
be guessed, the fleet had entered the mouth of Bappa- 
hannock river, and the motley crew had occupied and 
entrenched themselves on Gwynn's Island. They were 
not to remain masters of this Eden, the mark of Cain 
was imprinted on their foreheads, and the Virginians 
could not rest satisfied while this degraded band, with 
their execrated leader, found refuge within their terri- 
tory. 

General Andrew Lewis with a party of men, Avas sent 
to dislodge them. This brave officer had already dis- 
tinguished himself in tho fight with tho Indians at 
Mount Pleasant, and ho joyfully accepted a position 
which would give him the opportunity of chastising one 
who had been a greater enemy to Yirginia than all of 
the savages combined. lie threw up entrenchments on 
a j^oint of land opposite Gwynn's Island, and upon these 
mounted his great guns. Tho enemy, entrenched 
within fortifications on tho Island, with their ships 
lying in the deep waters around, could be plainly seen. 
One of the ships, " The Bunmore," lay about five hun- 
dred yards from the shore. General Lewis himself 
opened tho engagement by firing a gun at this vessel, 
aboard of which was tho Governor. The great cannon 
gave a roar as it sent out its terrible messenger, which 
passed directly through the hull of the vessel and did 
great damage. It was followed by another ball, and 
then another, each of which did its duty nobly, break- 
ing the timber and scattering splinters in every direc- 
tion. One of the latter wounded Bunmore, smashed 
his china around him, and so frightened his Lord- 
ship that he cried out, ''Good God I that ever 
I should have come to this." The fight did not last 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 191 

very long. The captains of the vessels were glad 
enough to cut their cables and make oif in great haste, 
and yet they would all have been captured had not the 
wind favored their retreat. 

General Lewis could not immediately go over to the 
island for the want of boats ; but the next morning, 
having collected a sufficient number to transport his 
troops, he crossed over. A terrible scene met his eyes. 
During the month in which Dunmore had held posses- 
sion of this beautiful island, the small-pox and other 
diseases had committed such ravages upon his miserable 
crew, that five hundred are supposed to have died; 
corpses m a state of putrefaction lay strewed along tne 
shore in half-dug trenches, and miserable dying crea 
tures had crawled to the water's edge to beg that tlioy 
might be saved from death. The enemy in their hast« 
left behind them a great deal of valuable property, 
Avhich fell into the hands of the victors. Driven from 
this retreat, Dunmore found another on St. George's 
Island in the Potomac river, and this too he was 
soon compelled to abandon. While ascending the river, 
he landed near the mouth of Acquia creek, and wantonly 
burnt a beautiful dwelling belonging to Mr. Erent, 
and was proceeding to destroy a valuable mill hard by, 
Avhen the Prince William militia arrived and drove him 
to bis boats. The fleet dropped down the river on the 
ensuing day, and some of his vessels, driven ashore by 
Sj gale of Avind, were lost. As one resource after 
aj -other failed him, his malignant spirit began to break. 
Tlie excessive heat of the season, the impurity of the 
Abater, the bad quality and scanty supply- of provisions, 
engendered fearful diseases in the crowded vessels, 
which Hourly plunged numbers into a watery grave. 



193 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Thus loaded with the execrations of the people ho had 
been appointed to govern, defeated in all his schemes for 
their ruin, hunted from place to place by their just re- 
sentment, Dunmore found himself a fugitive from the 
land where ho had hoped to plant the standard of 
victory, and upon whose people ho had hoped to wreak 
a terrible vengeance. He returned to England, and 
here our history leaves him. He never returned to the 
shores of Virginia, and her people will never forget the 
events which connected him with her histor3\ 



Questions for Examination, 



1. What is the date of these events? 

2. What ilscovery was made which sflU further exasperated 

the Virginians against Dunmore? 

3. Where was the " Great Bridge," and what was its import- 

ance ? 

4 To what stratagf-m did the Virginians resort in order to bring 

on the fl^lit ? 

6 How did Lord bunmore receive the news? 

6. How did lie seek to stimulate liis troops? 

7. Who commanded the Knglish? 

8 Give an account of ihelr advance. 

ft. Give an account of the battle. 

10. How is the scene described ? 

11. How did the victors behave to their prisoners? 

12. What did the Virginia Convention do? 

T'i, How did Lord Dunmore behave under defeat? 

14. What course did he adopt? 

15. Give an account of the occupation of Norfolk by the Virginia 

troops. 

16. What was Dunmore's course? 

17. Wljat dastardly revenge did he next take? 
IH. Give an account of the burning of Norfolk. 

lii». How did ilie patriots feel about the loss of their property? 

20. What class of person » composed Dunmore's fleet? 

21. Who was appointed to the command of the Virginia forces? 
2J. Wliat steps did he take? 

SJ. Describe the retreat of Dunmore to Gwynn's Island. 

24. Wiiat steps were taktn t;> dis'odge him? 

25. Describe the battle and retreat, r>f Dunmore. 

2«. What condition of afliairs was discovered oa the Island? 

27. Where did Dunmore next go? 

28. What was the eud of his story f 



HISTORr OF VIRGINIA. 193 



CHAPTEE XXIY. 
1776. 

Yirginia was now fairly launched in the war of the 
Itevolution. She had sought peace, but her plea having 
been rejected, she no longer wished for it, unless free- 
dom came hand in hand with it. The blood of her sons 
had been shed, her towns had been desolated and her 
property pillaged by the King's troops. More than 
once the British had been forced to acknowledge her 
victory over them upon hard-fought fields, and now, 
while her soldiers Avere winning freedom with the 
sword, her statesmen were carving out for her a govern- 
ment worthy to last through all succeeding genera- 
tions. 

In June of this year, the General Convention, com- 
posed of delegates from the several counties of Yirginia, 
met at AYilliamsburg, and passed what was called a 
Declaration of Eights, which was drawn up by 
George Mason, in which the principle was laid 
down that all men, being entitled to certain rights — 
namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, the means of 
acquiring and possessing property, and of obtaining 
happiness and safety — the government of a country 
ought to be administered for the protection of the peo- 
ple and the maintenance of these rights, and that 
" whereas, George the third. King of Great Britain, had 
endeavored to pervert the government of Virginia into 
an unsupportablo tyranny, by imposing taxes without 
the consent of the people, by cutting off their trade 
with all parts of the world, by plundering their seas, 
ravaging their coasts, burning their towns and destroy- 
9 



194 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

ing their lives ; by inciting the negroes to rise in arms 
against them, and endeavoring to bring upon the in- 
habitants of the frontiers, the merciless Indian savages 
Avhose known rule of warfare is an utter destruction of 
all ages, sexes and condition of existence, and by 
answering their repeated petitions for redress by a rep- 
etition of injuries — that for these and many other acts 
of misrule and tyranny, the government of Virginia, 
as exercised under the crown of Great Britain, is totally 
dissolved. 

This decisive stop produced the greatest benefit ; it re- 
moved all doubt and uncertainty from the public mind; 
the people felt that separation from Great Britain was 
a fixed fact, and demonstrations of joy everywhere 
showed the popular approval of the course the Conven- 
tion had taken. At Williamsburg military parades, 
dis<tharges of artillery, dinners, toasts and general illu- 
minations showed the pleasure which both the citizens 
and soldiers felt at the decisive step which dissolved 
their union with a tyrannical and unnatural mother. 

The Declaration of Hights in Virginia was soon fol- 
lowed by the Declaration of Independence, in which all 
of the American Colonies united. This was written by 
Thomas Jefferson, to whom you will remember we have 
given the title of the Pen of Virginia. It expressed the 
same sentiments as the Declaration of Rights, which 
you know was the work of George Mason. It was 
adopted on the 4th of July 177G. Each colony then 
framed a constitution for its separate government. This 
was to consist of a Governor and a Legislature ; the 
duty of the latter was to make laws, and that of the 
Governor to execute them. Besides there were to bo 
three different courts^ which were to make decisions in 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 195 

doubtful cases. For instance, the Legislature makes a 
law that every murderer must be hung ; when a man be- 
comes liable to this penalty, he is tried first bj the lowest 
30urt, and if condemned, he has a right to demand a 
trial by a second court, and then again by a third ; if alt 
of the courts find him guilty of murder, he is con 
demned to die, and the Governor has to order his exe- 
cution. 

Patrick Henry was chosen the first Governor of 
Yirginia. His appointment was received by all classes 
with the greatest satisfaction. A committee was ap- 
pointed to wait upon him and inform him of the honor 
which had been conferred upon him. The regiments 
which ho had commanded since the beginning of the 
troubles, congratula-ted him in the warmest terms upon 
his unsolicited election " to the highest honor which a 
free people could bestow." " Once happy under your 
military command " they said, " we hope for more ex- 
tended blessings under your civil administration ; our 
hearts are willing and our arms are ready to support 
your authority as Chief Magistrate, happy that we have 
lived to see the day when freedom and equal rights, es- 
tablished by the voice of the people, shall prevail 
throughout the land." In returning thanks for this ad- 
dress, so expressive of their confidence and affection, 
after announcing his determination to do all in his 
power for the safety, dignity and happiness of the new 
commonwealth of Virginia, the Governor went on to 
say that, whilst the officers of the State were exerting 
themselves to create such a form of government as 
would best conduce to the happiness and welfare of the 
people, it remained for them, the soldiers, to save by 
their valor all that was most precious to mankind. " Go 



196 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



on, gentlemen," ho said, '' to finish the great work 
which you have so nobly and successfully begun ; con- 




THK MILITARY CONGE ATULATINa PATRICK HENRY UPON HIS ELECTION. 

vince tyrants again that they shall bleed, and that you 
will bleed to the last drop before their wicked schemes 
find success." 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 19T 

And now, perhaj^s, you will wonder that these brave 
young colonists were not dismayed at the perils which 
surrounded them. In their weakness they had defied 
the strongest power in Europe ; yet their hearts beat 
high. What to them was the smallness of their army 
and their empty treasury ? Free and independent they 
were determined to live, or not to live at all. 

All through the country the same enthusiasm was 
manifested wkich characterized Virginia. The Amer- 
ican army was then at New York.. The Declaration 
was read to each brigade, it was listened to in respectful 
silence, which was followed by bursts of enthusiastic 
applause. In the evening the equestrian statue of 
George the Third, which had been erected six years 
before, was laid prostrate, and the lead of which it was 
composed was converted into bullets to fight him with. 
Eather a comical idea, don't you think? to make old 
George assist in his own destruction. 

In Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, demonstra- 
tions even more enthusiastic than those we have de- 
tailed, occurred. Every trace of royalty was obliter- 
ated ; you Avould have thought that the j^eople were 
taking off the sword of victory instead of putting it on. 

After the Constitution of Virginia had been adopted, 
the subject of interest which next engaged her states- 
men was the choice of a device and motto for her seal ; 
for every countrj^, you know, has its seal. A great 
many suggestions were made, but at length, after much 
discussion, one proposed by Mr. George Wythe was 
chosen. You have doubtless seen it. A female fi<rure 
resting on a spear with one hand and holding a sword 
in the other, represents Virtue ; her foot rests upon 
the neck of Tyranny, represented by a prostrate man, 



198 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 




VIRGINIA- 



coniplete its work. 



with a crown falling from his 
head, a broken chain in his left 
hand, and a scourge in his right. 
Over the head of the female 
fi<Ture is engraved the words 
^' Sic Semper Tyramiis," which 
means "Thus always to tyrants," 
and underneath, " Virginia." 

The Convention which met 
this memorable year did not 
I have told you more than once 
in the course of this history that the early government 
of Virginia was formed after the model of that in Eng- 
land. In the first place, the English or Episcopal was 
the established Church, and although many efforts had 
been made to do away with some of the restrictions im- 
posed upon other denominations, and to some extent tol- 
erance had been granted, yet the laws against "Dissent- 
ers " (as all who were not members of the Church of Eng- 
land were called) were still in full force, and were very op- 
pressive. All dissenting congregations had to support 
not only their own ministers, but also had to contribute 
to the support of the Episcopal Church. Moreover, they 
were liable to be tried and punished for serving God 
through the forms they most approved. All of the differ- 
ent religious sects were now represented in Virginia, and 
there was much bitterness of feeling between them and 
the established Church. That peaceable sect called 
Quakers, strange to tell, were held in particular aver- 
sion and subjected to S2)ecial persecution. But now a 
spirit of freedom pervaded all classes, and the time had 
come to apply the same spirit to religion. The Legis- 
b-ture of Virginia was beset with petitions from dis- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 199 

senting denominations, that the laws which placed one 
church above another might be repealed, and that a 
free people might worship God by whatever form they 
thought best. Stormy were the discussions between 
the members advocating the different sides of this ques- 
tion. Edmund Pendleton, the venerable Speaker of the 
House, was a strenuous advocate for the Episcopal 
Church, while Thomas Jefferson, in the spirit which 
dictated the Declaration of Rights for Virginia and the 
Declaration of Independence for America, strongly 
urged religious freedom. After some time ho succeeded 
in establishing his views, and that most valuable of all 
liberty, liberty of conscience, was secured to a free 
people. 

Another Englisli law which had been in force in Vir- 
ginia up to this time remained to be repealed ; of this 
I must tell you. It was called the law of " Primogeni- 
ture." In England, when a rich man dies, he does not 
divide his property equally among his chddren, but the 
great bulk of it descends to his eldest son, who is 
called his " heir." The advantage of this is that it 
prevents the property from being cut up, and keeps t 
in the family for centuries; but the disadvantages are 
greater than the advantages; for while it places one 
son, not from any merit of his own, in wealth and 
luxury, it forces the others, without fault of theirs, to 
a life of comparative j^overtj' and toil. This unjust law 
was now repealed, that is, done away with, and ail the 
members of one family were placed on an equal footing. 
I have been thus particular to make you comprehend 
these things, which may at first seem a little dull to 
you, because they constitute a very important part of 
the history of Virginia, and show you by what rapid 



200 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

strides her government came forth from the despotism 
of the British monarchy, into the full free light of 
constitutional freedom. 



Questions for Examination, 



1, In what year did these events take place? 

2. What was now the situation of Virginia? 

S. What was ihe action of tlie General Convention? 

4. Who wrote the Declaration of Rights 7 

5. What did it lay down as a principle? 

6. How had tlie rights of the colony been violated? 

7. In view of th^se Uiln^s what did the paper declare? 

8. What effect did this 8tep produce? 

9. What followed the Declaration of Tlights? 
ll». Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? 
II. When waft it adopted ? 

13. What was the character of the State Constitutions? 

13. Who was the first Governor of Virginia ? , 

14. In what terms did liis boldiers cougiatulate him 7 

15. What did he answer? 

16. Hf^w did the colonies regard their pltviation? 

17. How was the Declaration of Independence received? 
IH. Who furnished the device for the Seal of Virginia? 
l»o Describe it. 

20. What church Lad been the Established Church of Virginia, 

and why ? 

21. What objections were now made to this? 

22. What controversies arose, and how did it end? 

23. What other English law had been in force in Virginia? 
21. What were the provisions of this law? 

25. Was it repealed ? 

26. Why is it necessary for the student of Virginia history to 

understand these things? 



CHAPTER XXY. 
177G-1781. 



Virginia, after passing through her first difficulties, 
was to find by a hard and bitter experience, that free- 
dom was not to be obtained without a long struggle 
and many discoiiragements. The terrific sounds of war 
were now heard throughout the length and breadth of 
the land. Washington, struggling in vain against the 
disciplined troops of England, had been defeated at 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 201 

LoniT Island, and was now retreating: throuo-h New 
Jersey and Delaware ; while the enemy who followed on 
his track, marked their course with rapine and violence. 
Fields were wasted, cattle destroyed, and houses burned. 
It is much easier to plan a great enterprise than to 
carry it through the midst of dangers. Virginia, for 
a moment, bent beneath the blast; her Legislature 
seemed to lose all hope, and to look beyond their present 
resources for help in this bitter hour. One of the 
members recalled the history of Rome. Who, when 
torn with intestine strife and deluged in blood, put 
a Dictator at her head. Some of the Yirginians who 
were struggling to escape from a tyrannical monarchy, 
talked calmly of giving themselves up to a far more 
dangerous government, in which the entire power was 
to be placed in the hands of one man, to be used as he 
pleased. Strange infatuation ! There is little doubt 
that Patrick Henry was the man thought of to fill the 
position of Dictator, but it is not believed that he 
countenanced the idea for an instant. Durino- the dis- 
cussion in the Legislature, the feelings for and against 
the proposition were bitter in the extreme ; the excite- 
ment became so great that it is said that the opponents 
not only would not speak to each other, but would not 
even walk on the same side of the street. One of the 
bitterest opposers of the Dictatorship Avas the Speaker 
of the House, the venerable Archibald Gary, who meet- 
ing the brother-in-law of Patrick Henry one day, 
addressed him with a great deal of passion and said, 
" Sir, I am told that your brother wishes to be Dictator ; 
tell him for me that the day of his appointment shall 
be the day of his death, for he shall feel my dagger in 
his heart before the sunset of that day!" He was 
9* 



202 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

answered that Patrick Henry had never approved that 
or any other measures which would endanger the liber- 
ties of the country. Had he been on the spot, one 
word from his eloquent tongue would have brought the 
Assembly to its senses ; but he had been obliged by 
sickness to go some distance into the country, and 
before he returned, the madness of the hour had 
passed away, and the project was abandoned. The 
next year he was re-elected Governor; the manner in 
which he had performed the duties of the first term 
having more than satisfied his friends. 

This same year there passed through the State of Vir- 
ginia, on their way to join the American army in the 
North, two young foreign noblemen, Baron Lafayette, 
a Frenchman, and Baron DeKalb, a German by birth 
but a Brigadier-General in the French army. These 
distinguished men, who were about to do battle for 
American liberty, were received with the greatest en- 
thusiasm by the Virginians. Their stay was brief, as 
they were anxious to join the army; but they were both 
destined to revisit Virginia, and Lafayette Avon most of 
his laurels in this State during the closing scenes of the 
Kevolution. 

For nearly three years after this time there was very 
little fighting in Virginia, although she took her full 
part in the war by her contributions of men and money. 
The fortunes of the united colonies during these years 
wero at their lowest ebb ; nothing but their determina- 
tion to be free, or die in the attempt, could have sup- 
ported them under their dreadful discouragements. 
There was one gleam of light, however, in the midst 
of the darkness, and this was a treaty with France, 
by which she not only acknowledged their independ- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 203 

enco of England, but promised her assistance in secur- 
ing it. This was the turning-point in the history of the 
Hevohitionary war, as it had the double effect of en- 
couraging the Americans and of discouraging the 
English. 

At the expiration of his second term of office as 
Governor of Yirginia, Patrick Henry would have been 
re-elected by the unanimous voice of the people, as there 
was no one in the State who held more complete sway 
over the inhabitants than he, but he refused the honor, 
and Thomas Jefferson was appointed in his place. 

The British successes in the North were followed by 
still more decided victories in the South. Thus the 
English Government began to look forward with cer- 
tainty to the conquest of the entire country. "Virginia 
was regarded as the heart of the rebellion, and it was de- 
cided to carry their victorious arms into that State, as the 
surest way of bringing the war to a speedy conclusion. 
In May of this year a fleet of armed vessels, under the 
command of Admiral Collins, and carrying two thousand 
troops, entered Hampton Roads. The Virginians had 
built a fort a short distance below Portsmouth, for 
the defence of Norfolk and Gosport navy-yard; this 
was the first point of attack. The British fleet attacked 
it in front, while land forces assaulted it in the rear. 
But it did not hold out long. The Virginians, under 
Captain Matthews, had no means of defending them- 
selves, so they abandoned the fort and took refuge in the 
Dismal Swamp. The whole country was thus left open 
to the British, who did not hesitate to take advantaire of 
the opportunity. Their course was marked by devasta- 
tion ; they burned houses, and destroyed all property 
which they could not carry ^.way. They burned tha 



204 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

town of Suffolk, where there were a great many stores 
which had been accumulated for the use of the army, 
and after having laid wast'^ the whole country as far as 
it was possible, they returned to New York. Though 
this seemed to be a misfortune to Virginia, yet in the 
end it was not without its advantages, as for some time 
her attention had been so constantly directed to the 
main army that she had forgotten the defence of her 
own territory; now, however, she saw tne impolicy of 
this inaction, and the Legislature immediately authorized 
the Governor to call twenty thousand militia into the 
field, if necessary. Nor were they too early in taking 
these more active measures. General Gates, finding 
that Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, was 
already passing through North Carolina on his way to 
Yirginia, determined, if possible, to intercept him. 
They met at Camden, North Carolina, and the Ameri- 
cans under Gates were totally defeated. Never did 
American soldiers act more disgracefully than in this 
battle ; and I am sorry to relate that the Yirginia 
militia were among those who ingloriously fled from the 
field. The brave Colonel Stevens, who commanded 
them, was almost maddened by their conduct ; but in 
vain he entreated, in vain he even exerted all his per- 
sonal strength to turn their bayonets again towards the 
enemy ; they were panic-stricken, and even bore him 
away in their flight. It is said that this defeat was 
caused by a mistake of General Gates, who had, before 
this, been a most successful general ; and this brings mo 
to a very interesting incident. 

Some time prior to these events, while General 
Gates was in command of a portion of the army 
in the North, he met the British General Bur- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 205 

goyne at Saratoga, and forced him to surrender with 
his whole army, consisting of about six thousand men. 
It is not a part of the history of Virginia to give 
a full account of this battle, which filled all America 
with joy ; but there is a portion of the story with Avhich 
wo have to do. The prisoners were at first marched to 
Boston. From this place they would have been sent to 
England on their parole, but in the meantime some dis- 
satisfaction arose between the two Governments, and it 
was deemed necessary to keep the prisoners, who were 
known hereafter as the Convention troops ; but what to 
do with them was a serious question. To subsist six 
thousand men, prisoners, i-n the city of Boston, was 
scarcely jDOSsible ; they must select some place both 
secure and comfortable for them. After some time, the 
neighborhood of Charlottesville, Yirginia, was chosen. 
On the top of a ridge, five miles from the town, barracks 
were built for their accommodation, which cost about 
twenty thousand dollars ; and to these, as soon as possible, 
the prisoners were transferred, under proper escorts. 
When they first arrived, considerable fear was felt that so 
large an increase of population could not be sustained ; 
but such apprehensions were soon removed. The country 
was very productive, and the planters were glad enouf>-h 
to have purchasers for their crops. Soon everythino- 
assumed an air of comfort. The ground around the 
barracks was laid off in several hundred gardens, which 
the soldiers amused themselves by enclosing and culti- 
vating. One general, a German, is said to have spent 
two hundred pounds in garden seeds, for the use of his 
own troops. The officers rented houses in the neio-h- 
borhoooi, and in many instances their families joined 
them. They purchased horses, cows, and sheep, and 



206 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



spent their time in farming, and Governor Jefferson 
himself, acted the hospitable host in devising amuse- 
ments to make their captivity as pleasant as possible. 
His own residence was at Monticello, and here the 
officers would visit him; and he placed his fine library at 
the disposal of those who were fond of literature. Others 
who had a taste for music and painting found in him 
a cultivated companion. Thus Mr. Jefferson gained 




MONTICELtiO. 



over the hearts of these enemies of his country a 
bloodless victory ; and amongst his letters have been 
found many from these officers, after their return home, 
expressing in warm terms their admiration for him. 
Years after, while passing through Germany, Mr. Jeffer- 
son was recognized by one of the soldiers who had been 
among these prisoners. The news spread, and he Avas 
soon surrounded by officers, who spoke of Virginia with 
feeling. 

But captivity, even under the most favorable circum- 
ttftances, is not desirable ; and notwithstanding the com- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 207 

forts which surrounded the j^risoners, desertions became 
so frequent that, after they had been two years in Albe- 
marle, it was thought necessary to remove them, so 
part were taken to Fort Frederick, Maryland, and the 
rest to Winchester, and here we will leave them. 



Questions for Exaynination. 



1. The events of what years are included in this chapter? 

2. Wliat condition liad the colonies of America reached? 
S. Wiiat insane idea was suggested in Virginia? 

4. Who was to be chosen Dictator? 

5. Give an account of tiie strife of opinion. 

6. Where was Patrick Henry during tlie excitement? 

7. What distinguished '"isitors passed through Virginia? 

8. Give a brief review che history of Virginia for tlie next 

three years. 

9. Who was elected the next Governor of Virginia? 

10. Wliat course were the British victories assuming? 

11. Tell the story of the fi^lit near Portsmouth. 

12. How did the Rritisli l>rfhave after this victory? 

13. What effect did these excesses of tne enemy have upon the 

Virginians? 

14. What measures did the Legislature take? 

15. Give an account of the b.ittle of Camden. 
IB. Who were the Convention troops? 

17. To wliat portion of Virginia were they transferred, and why ? 
IH. Wliat preparations were made for their reception ? 

19. Howdul the prisoners spend their time? 

20. How did Mr. Jefferson behave to them? 

21. What happened when Mr. Jefferson was afterwards traveling 

through Germany? 
S3. What became of the Conveutiou troops . 



CHAPTEK XXYL 
1781. 



"Wo have now reached that point in the history of 
Virginia when the war of the Revolution was in a 
great degree transferred to her soil. The beginning 
of this year was signaliaied by the princely donation 



208 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

which the Legislature made to the Union, which was 
nothing less than the huge territory north-west of the 
Ohio river, out of which were formed the States of Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois. 

On the last day of the old year information was re- 
ceived that twenty-seven British ships had entered 
Chesapeake Bay, and were coming up towards the mouth 
of James Kiver. It is much to be regretted that at 
this time there was no officer in Virginia to direct her 
military affairs; had there been, Bichmond, the 
capital of Virginia, would have been rendered im- 
pregnable against assault. But General Nelson, who 
was in command of the Virginia forces, was striving to 
organize militia in the counties near the coast, and 
there was no one else who was efficient for the purpose. 
The means of defence in Eichmond, had there been any 
one to command, would have been amply sufficient. At 
the foundry, about six miles from the city, there were 
five tons of gunj^owder and other military stores, and 
in the city there were five brass cannon and a plenty 
of muskets ; and the natural situation of the city is so 
^jtrong, that a few resolute men, and an efficient leader 
•i\''ho knew how to make use of the resources at com- 
mand, could easily have defended the city. But unfor- 
tunately these were wanting, and Mr. Jefferson took 
another view of the situation and determined upon 
abandoning Eichmond to the enemy. He ordered the 
five brass cannon to be thrown into the river, and set 
the teamsters and negroes to work loading arms and 
ammunition, which were driven off to Westham, seven 
miles from -the city. Why it should have been thought 
a safer place than Eichmond it is hard to understand, 
as nothing was easier for the enemy, if they reached 
the city, than to go to Westham. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 209 

On the fourth of January news was received that the 
British had arrived at Westover. They were under the 
command of the wretched traitor Arnold, who had 
once been an officer high in rank in the American 
army, but who accepted a bribe of ten thousand guineas 
and the rank and pay of brigadier-general in the 
British army, to betraj^ his country and Washington 
into the hands of their enemy : his plot failed, but he 
received his reward. This was the man who now ap- 
proached the city at the head of nine hundred British 
soldiers. Nothing could exceed the terror and dismay 
all through the country when this was known. Fami- 
lies left their houses to the mercy of the enemy, and 
fled to some place of safety, out of reach of the traitor, 
the mere mention of whom filled them with terror. 
The whole country was thus left open to a ruthless 
enemy, and Arnold landed his forces at Westover and 
marched without opposition to Hichmond. On the 
evening of the 4th of January 1781, the Governor left 
Richmond, and his example was followed by most of 
the inhabitants, and at one o'clock the next day the in- 
famous Arnold entered it. 

Richmond at this time contained about three hundred 
houses, and was rapidly extending in size and import- 
ance. Arnold at once despatched Lieutenant-Colonel 
Simcoe to AVestham, who destroyed the foundry and 
military stores at that place. Two days were spent by 
the army in Richmond, in pillaging and destroying pub- 
lic and private property, the buildings were burnt, 
warehouses broken open and emptied of all that they 
contained. Amongst other of their contents, were a 
quantity of casks containing spirits ; these were emptied 
into the streets, and the liquor ran down the gutters liko 



210 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

water, and it is related that the cows and hogs drinking 
of it were seen staggering about the streets. What do 
you think of that as an argument against intem- 
perance ? 

The enemy found the five brass pieces which had been 
thrown into the river, which they, of course, rendered 
useless. After having in a few hours done all the in- 
jury possible, Arnold and his men leisurely left the city, 
reached their fleet, and embarked without having 
met with any opposition. This was a severe humil- 
iation to the capital of the proud Commonwealth, 
and one which was never forgotten. From this time 
great exertions were made to place the State in a pos- 
ture of defence. Arnold did not escape, however, en- 
tirely unmolested ; some of the vessels ventured up the 
Appomattox river, and were fiercely attacked by Gen. 
Smallwood with three hundred militia, armed only 
with muskets, whereu2:)on they returned precipitately to 
City Point. General Smallwood pursued them to this 
place, and having obtained two small cannon, opened 
upon the ships and drove them down the river. 

There was in the American army a brigadier-general 
named Baron Steuben, who understood well the art of 
war. He had undertaken to drill the militia. With a 
party of these, he marched rapidly down James river, 
hoping to meet some of Arnold's troops, but he was 
disappointed, as Arnold was too quick for him. Now 
there was with Baron Steuben's command an heroic 
officer, Georo-G Hoixers Clarke, who was called the "Cod- 
queror of Illinois," as he had by almost incredible bra- 
very and perseverance rescued the whole of that coun- 
try from the French. He now stepped forward and en- 
treated to be placed in command of two hundred and 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



211 



forty men, with whom he hoped to be able to strike a 
blow against the departing forces. His request was 
granted. Placing his men in ambush where Arnold 




Col. cIjAKKK attacking Arnold 

and his troops were landing in the 

night, he gave them a close volley, 

which killed seventeen and wounded 

thirteen men. They were thrown 

into confusion, but soon recovered 

and returned the fire. Clarke's force was too small 

to make any further demonstrations, so Arnold marched 



212 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

on slowly towards Chesapeake Bay, destroying every- 
thing in his way except the tobacco, which he car- 
ried off with him. He was superceded in command 
by General Phillips, who made another expedition up 
the James and Appomattox rivers, but not without op- 
position. The Yirginia forces, however, were not yet 
sufficiently organized to make a successful resistance. 
Earon Steuben with his militia contested the way 
most gallantly, but they were obliged to retreat before 
the enemy, who took possession of Petersburg, and 
burned the tobacco and some small vessels lying at 
the wharves. General Phillips despatched Arnold to 
Chesterfield Courthouse, where he destroyed the bar- 
racks and burned a quantity of flour ; he then rejoined 
Phillips, and they marched together to Manchester, 
which is on the opposite side of the river from Pich- 
mond, intending to pay that city another visit. But 
they found this rather more difficult than they expected. 
You remember I told you, some time back, of two 
gallant noblemen who marched through Yirginia to 
join the forces in the Korth. One of them, De Kalb, 
nearly one year before this time, had laid down his life 
on the fatal field of Camden ; the name of the other, De 
La Payette, is from this period so closely connected Avith 
the history of the Pevolution in Yirginia that you will 
become well acquainted with him. There is no name, 
except that of AYashington, which is dearer to the heart 
of Americans than that of Marquis de La Payette. It 
is hr.rd to find terms of praise or admiration too strong 
for him. Born of the best blood of Prance, he early 
imbibed a love of those principles of liberty which ac- 
tuated America in her struggles with England. His en- 
thusiasm in her cause was so great that he would have 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



213 



joined her in the beginning of the war, but for the op- 
position of his friends ; he yielded to their opposition, 
until those dark days when he heard of Washington and 
his brave troops being driven from State to State before 
the victorious arms of Great Britain ; then this gallant 
hero determined no longer to allow himself to be con- 
trolled by others, but to link his fate, for good or ill, to 
that of struggling 
America. I have 
told you of the 
enthusiasm with 
which he and his 
companion had been 
received in Virginia, 
and this reception 
seems to have made 
a lasting impression 
on the young hero ; 
for although he 
fought willingly by 
the side of "Wash- 
ington, he sought 
every opportunity 
to obtain a com- 
mand in Yirginia; la faykttb. 
and at this most important juncture, Washington, 
who had the greatest confidence in him, placed in 
his charge the defence of Virginia, towards which the 
eyes of both armies were now turning as the future 
theatre of war. 

La Fayette arrived in E,ichmond on the twenty-ninth 
of April. Two days afterwards Phillips and Arnold 
made their appearance at Manchester ; but hearing that 




214 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

La Fayette was in command of the city, they aban- 
doned all thought of attacking it, and marched down 
the river, destroying tobacco, mills, and shipping on 
the way. He-embarking at a point called Bermuda 
Hundreds, they proceeded down the river towards 
Chesapeake 33ay ; but they were not to leave Yirginia 
80 soon as they expected. While they were still sailing 
down the James, General Phillij^s received dispatches 
from Lord Cornwallis, the British General, who had 
defeated General Gates at Camden, telling him that he 
was marching with his whole force as rapidly as he 
could to form a junction with him at Petersburg. 
Phillips therefore turned back again, and on the ninth 
of May re-entered Petersburg. It was not designed by 
Providence, however, that General Phillips should any 
longer share either the triumphs or the defeats of the 
British army, as he died at Petersburg four days after 
entering it, and Arnold again assumed command. So 
great was the hatred of Virginians toward this man, 
that the Governor issued a proclamation offering a 
reward of five thousand guineas to any one who should 
capture him ; but the traitor, knowing his danger, never 
trusted himself out of his quarters without a large 
body-guard. 

On the twenty-fifth of April Cornwallis marched 
towards Halifax, sending before him the dashing 
cavalry officer Colonel Tarleton, with one hundred and 
eighty dragoons, to scour the country in front of him. 
They met with no opposition ; and on the twentieth of 
May, Cornwallis united the two armies at Petersburg. 
A few days afterwards he crossed the James river at 
Westover and proceeded towards Richmond; but Ar- 
nold, who had no idea of trusting his precious person 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 215 

within reach of the Governor of Yirginia, applied for 
permission to return to New York. Cornwallis, glad 
to be relieved from the company of a man whom ho 
despised, promptly complied with his request. Exult- 
ing in the superiority of his numbers over those of La 
Fayette, flushed Avith hopes of a brilliant campaign, and 
confident of his triumph over the youthful officer who 
was opposed to him, Cornwallis wrote to England, "The 
boy cannot escape me " ; but La Fayette, though young, 
brave and impetuous, had also the prudence which was 
requisite for his position. Although lie had only about 
three thousand men to oppose tho immense force of 
Cornwallis, and he feit humiliated ri,t Ibcing obliged to 
leave the capital of the State, Ms jiaolgment neverthe- 
less prompted him to act for the best interests of the 
people whose cause he had espoused. Accordingly he 
evacuated Eichmond, and retreated in such a manner as 
to protect the military stores in his rear, until he was 
reinforced by General Wayne, who, with eight hundred 
men of the Pennsylvania Line, was rapidly approaching 
fiom the Korth. Crossing the Chickahominy, he re- 
tired towards Fredericksburg, and in Culpeper county 
was joined by General Wayne. 



Questions for Examination, 



1. In what year did these events take place? 

2. How was ihir. year bignalizcd ? 

3. \v hat happened on the la.st day of the old 3''ear? 

4. Under what, di.'-advaiitages did Virginia labor? 

5. What meanp ->( defence had Richmond ? 

tt. Wliafc coarhc w IS doterniined upon aii<l adopted? 

7. Wlio w-as .In Cummaud of the Britisli, and what was hi* 

story ? 

8. ITow was th'^ news of Arnold's approach received 7 

9. Give an account of the evacuation of Richmond? 
10. Give au account of Arnold's occupation of the city? 



216 niSTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



H. What -was Its eflTect upon the people of Virglala? 

12. Did Arnold escape unmolested? 

J.I. Who was Baron Steuben? 

14. What was Colonel Clarke's history? 

1.1. Tell of his attack on Arnold. 

JO. What did Arnold do afterwards? 

17. Give an account of the expedition of General Philips. 

IH. Of Arnold's expedition to Chesterfield Courthouse. 

10. What was Baron L)e Kalb's fate? 

20. Who was La Fayette? 

21. What was his course toward America? 

22. What command was now conferred upon him? 

23. What happened after his arrival in Uichmond? 

24. Give an account of the course of Philips and Arnold. 

25. How did Virginia show her abliorrence of Arnold? 

20. What British General was now marching into Virginia? 

27. What became of Arnold? 

28. How did Cornwall is regard the situation? 
21>. What course did La Fayette take 7 



CnAPTEE XXYII. 
1781. 



Lord Cornwallis, finding his young enemy too wary 
to be entrapped, stopped the pursuit, and encamping on 
the North Anna river in Hanover county, rested until 
he could take a full view of the situation. A large part 
of the State of Virginia lay open before him. The 
Legislature had withdrawn from Bichmond to Char- 
lottesville, and Mr. Jefferson, whose term of service as 
Governor of Virginia had just expired, was at Monti- 
cello, about three miles from the village. At a place 
called Point-of-Fork, now Columbia, at the junction 
of the Rivanna and James rivers, the Virginians had 
accumulated a quantity of stores, leaving Baron Steu- 
ben witu only six hundred raw militia to guard them. 
Cornwallis thought that if he could capture Mr. Jeffer- 
son and the Legislature at Charlottesville, and destroy 
tho military stores at Point-of-Fork before La Fayette 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.' 217 

could interfere, he would by this double blow convince 
the Yirginians of his power, and disgust them with a 
government Avhich was too weak to protect them. 
Accordingly, he divided his cavalry into two parties, 
one of which he placed under the command of Colonel 
Simcoe, an officer of great activity and bravery, and 
the other under Colonel Tarleton. The latter with two 
hundred men was to proceed to Charlottesville, and 
after accomplishing his object there, was to join Simcoe 
and aid him in destroying the stores. 

The two forces started nearly at the same time. 
When Simcoe reached the Point-of-Fork, he found that 
Baron Steuben had received notice of his approach, 
and had removed all the stores across the river ; seeing 
this, he had recourse to a stratagem Avhich proved suc- 
cessful, lie thought that if he could make Steuben 
believe that Cornwallis's whole force was with him, he 
would become frightened and abandon his stores. As 
night approached, he set his men to work to cut down 
timber and build camp-fires over a large extent of coun- 
try. AYhen it grew dark, Steuben seeing the wide 
extent of the encampment, hastily packed up the 
lighter baggage and went off, leaving behind him all 
the heavy baggage, which Simcoe destroyed, and re- 
joined Cornwallis the next morning. Tarleton was not 
BO successful. He dashed off through the county of 
Louisa towards Charlottesville, and had he gone straight 
forward would no doubt have accomplished his object; 
but ho stopped to burn twelve wagons containing 
clothing for the southern army, and then visited the 
house of Dr. AValker. where ho captured a number of 
gentlemen of the county. This delay caused the failure 
of his main object, for one of the gentlemen guessing 
10 



218 



IIISTORY OF VIRGINIA 



Tarletoii's object, mounted his horso, and taking a short 
cut across the country, did not draw a rein until ho 




THE ANNOUNCEMENT OP TaRLETON's APPROACH. 

reached Charlottesville. Hushing into the midst of the 
Legislative members, he announced that Tarlcton was 



illSTOHr OF VIRGINIA. 219 



at his heels coining to capture them. They hastily 
adjourned to meet in Staunton on the seventh of June, 
and then scattered like a covey of partridges. A few 
hours afterwards Tarleton, knowing nothing of the flight, 
came along at a sweeping 2:)ace, fully expecting to cap- 
ture his prey, and great was his disappointment when 
ho found the birds had flown. Before ho reached Char^ 
lottesville he had detached a party under the command 
of Captain McLeod, with orders to capture Mr. Jeffer- 
son. Monticello, the residence of Mr. Jefferson, was 
built upon the top of a high mountain, which could only 
be approached by a road which wound round and round 
it. Mr. Jefferson, not dreaming of danger, was enter, 
taining some friends, when a servant rushed in and told 
him that the British were coming. No time was to bo 
lost ; in a few moments the carriage was at the door, 
and Mrs. Jefferson and her three children were put into 
it, and sent off by a road opposite to that by which the? 
enemy were approaching. She took refuge at a friend's 
house about six miles distant ; and Mr. Jefferson mount- 
ing his horse, plunged into the recesses of the mountain, 
and so made his escape. It is due to Captain McLeod 
to say that he did not allow anything to be disturbed 
at Monticello, and Mr. Jefferson found all of his books, 
papers and other property just as he had left them. 

Tarleton was a great boaster, and it was an intense 
mortification to him to be obliged to return to Corn- 
wallis with his few gentlemen prisoners, for whoso 
capture he had sacrificed the main object of the expedi- 
tion, lie allowed his men to depredate upon the coun- 
try, and incidents of his progress are still i:)reserved 
amongst the descendants of those who suffered from 
the license of his soldiery. At one house everything, in 



220 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

the way of poultry, was taken off except one old drake, 
and the family display a picture in which the angry 
house-wife is sending this sole denizen of her poultry- 
yard after Tarleton as a present from her, as she had no 
use for it. 

Meanwhile Cornwallis, advancing from the North 
Anna river, took possession of one of Mr. Jefferson's 
farms, called Elk Hill, slaughtered and drove off the 
cattle, appropriated the horses which were fit for use, 
and with wanton cruelty cut the throats of all that 
were too young for service. Thirty thousand slaves, 
also, ure supposed to have been carried off from the 
country, of whom twenty-seven thousand died of small- 
pox and other diseases in the course of six months. 
Altogether, property amounting to six millions of 
pounds sterling was either taken away or destroyed. 

But Oornwallis's reign of terror was nearly over. A 
fearful retribution awaited him. He had received in- 
formation of a quantity of military property which was 
stored at Albemarle Old Courthouse (now Scotsvillc.) 
These he determined to destroy ; but he was no longer 
to mark his course through Virginia with fire and sword 
without meeting an arm of defence raised against him, 
for the brave La Fayette was ready for him ; he had 
been watching with an eagle eye his every movement, 
and now the time for action had arrived. Heinforced 
and in command of an ample body of troops, he moved 
cautiously from Culpeper to Boswell's Tavern, near 
the Albemarle line. Cornwallis was between him and 
Albemarle Courthouse, where the stores were ; there 
was but one way in which he could intercept him, and 
this La Fayette took. He set all of his men to work to 
open a road across the country, and tho next morning 



IIISTOKY OF VIRGINIA. 221 

Cornwallis saw, with astonishment and rage, the Ameri- 
cans encamped in an impregnable position, just between 
him and Albemarle Courthouse. At the same time ho 
received a dispatch from Sir Henry Clinton, Comman- 
der-in-chief of the British forces in America, orderinc: 
him to proceed at once to the sea-coast and to send him 
all the men ho could spare, as there was reason to be- 
lieve that New York would be the next point of attack. 
Cornwallis without delay set his face towards the sea, 
and now he was the pursued, and La Fayette the pursuer. 
Cornwallis moved slowly, and La Fayette watched 
keenly every step he took. Once, and only once, war 
La Fayette oif his guard ; but happily his Avant of vigi 
lance was not attended with serious consequences. On 
the fourth day of Jul}', Cornwallis was preparing to 
transport his entire army across James river, having se- 
lected Jamestown Island as the proper jioint. Inex- 
perienced spies had informed La Fayette that the 
British army had crossed, leaving the rear-guard on the 
north side of the river. This ho determined to attack, 
and did not discover his mistake until ho had driven in 
the pickets and found himself in the midst of the fall 
strength of theBiiti.'-h army. Two field-pieces were cap- 
tured, and had it not been for the darkness of the night 
which enabled La Fayette to accomplish a retreat, the 
Americans must have been utterly ruined ; as it was, 
there was little real damage done, and Cornwallis with- 
drew his forces across the river and continued his 
course towards Chesaj^eake Bay followed by La Fayette, 
lie soon received dispatches from Sir Henry Clinton, in- 
forming him that his apprehensions about an attack on 
lN"ew York were relieved, and ordering him to retain his 
whole force in Virginia, selecting Yorktown as his base 



222 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

of operations. Of this place he took possession, and 
threw up entrenchments. 

La Fayette saw at a glance the advantages of the 
situation, and lost no time in informing AYashington of 
his view of the matter, in which the commanding officer 
concurred, and turned his face without delay towards 
Virginia, and with his combined French and American 
troops was far on his southward march before the 
[British General had any idea of the contemplated move- 
ment. Before Washington joined La Fayette, he learned 
with joy that Count de G-rasse had entered Chesapeake 
Bay with a fleet of twenty-five ships, on board of which 
were three thousand French troops. It was near the 
last of September when Washington joined La Fayette, 
and immediately mounted cannon around Yorktown, 
which was soon, Avith the aid of the ships of De Grasse, 
completely invested, and the proud Cornwallis soon saw 
himself caught in a trap of his own setting, while the 
Americans determined that he and his army should never 
leave Yorktown except as prisoners of war. 

General AYashington knew as soon as Sir Henry 
Clinton heard of the situation of Cornwallis, that he 
would make every effort to relieve him ; his aim there- 
fore was to prepare for a defence from an outside at- 
tack, as well as to secure the army in Yorktown. 
Cornwallis on his part was not idle, but strove in 
every way to escape from his precarious situation ; 
but day by day his hopes grew fainter, until at length 
they rested alone upon the anticipated help from Sir 
Ilcnry Clinton. After a while food became scarce, 
and still the Americans built their entrenchments closer 
and closer to the fated city. General Nelson, who 
was now Governor of Yirninia, had his home in York- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 223 



town — he was tlio same gentleman to whom the 
captain of the Fowey had addressed his cruel epistle 
some years before. Observing, one day, that in ccnn- 
pliment to him, the gunners would not aim at his 
house while firing into the town, though it was 
known to be the headquarters of the British officers, 
he remonstrated, and insisted that the guns should 
oj^en fire in that direction. Ilis wish was complied 
with ; the first shot killed two officers, and the entire 
building was soon d^^molished. 

Conscious of his desperate situation, and beginning 
to despair of help from without, Cornwallis made an 
attempt to cut his way through the American lines, but 
ho was driven back. He then determined to abandon 
his sick and wounded and his materials of war, and to 
escape with his men across the river. The boats were in 
readiness, and sc:?ie of the troops had actually cm- 
barked, but Heaver, armed against them. A storm of wind 
and rain arose, whicb. drove the boats back on the shore, 
and tho attempt was abandoned. The hopes of Lord 
Cornwallis were row at an end, and unwilling to sacrifice 
any more of the troopo w^ho had bo bravely stood the 
horrors of the eiege, on the morning of the 17th of 
October he despatched a flag of truce with a letter to 
General Washington, proposing i^, cessation of hostilities 
for twenty-four hours, in order that the terms of sur- 
render might be settled. Washington, fearing that re- 
inforcements might arrive from New York and chano-e 
the aspect of aftairs, declined a longer delay than two 
hours. With this vCornwallis ,7as forced to be satisfied ; 
but- two days elapsed, before all of the preliminaries 
were settled, and at twel-^e o'clock on the 19th tho 
surrender was mad ;. Tho allied armies were drawn up 



224 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



in two lines more than a mile in length, the French on 




SURRENDER OF LORD CORN"WALL,IS. 

one side of the road and the Americans on the other. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 225 

The Count de Eochambeau and his staff, handsomely 
mounted, occupied a position in front of the French, 
and Washington on a noble steed, with his staff, was 
beside the Americans. The French presented a brilliant 
appearance in their complete uniforms, and marched to 
the field with a band of music in full play. The Ameri- 
cans, in spite of their shabby dress, which bore the 
marks of hard service and great privations, wore a 
proud soldierly air, which was better than mere out- 
side adornment, and made their countrymen who 
looked on very proud of them. 

About two o'clock the British garrison sallied fortk 
from Yorktown, and passed through the two lines of 
their conquerors. They marched with slow sad steps, 
their arms shouldered and their flags furled and their 
drums beating a solemn march. They were led by 
General O'llara, who at once marched up to AYashing- 
ton and apologized for the non-appearance of Lord 
Cornwallis on account of sickness. He then led his men 
forward to the field where they were to ground their 
arms. Their aspect as they followed their leader was 
BuUen, which was very natural, the circumstances con- 
sidered. 

The British had indulged in a very bad habit, this 
was to parade a contempt for their American foe which 
probably they did not altogether feel, but which doubt- 
less increased their mortification when they came to 
this final humiliation. Many of the men threw their 
muskets violently on the pile, as if unable to conceal 
their rage ; and Col. Abcrcrombie, one of the officers, 
as he stood by, compelled to Avitness the sight, bit 
the hilt of his sword, and turned away his head as if 
completely overcome. 
10* 



226 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



The importance of this surrender was indeed ines- 
timable. It was not only that it enriched America by 
the capture of men, guns, stores, ammunition and ships, 
but it produced the happiest moral effect. Those "who 
were disposed, through discouragement, to abandon the 
cause, soon became its most earnest supporters ; enthu- 
siasm prevailed everywhere, and Great Britain, con- 
scious that her strength was being wasted on a people 
determined to be free, abandoned the contest. Peace 
was not formally declared for nearly two years after, 
but the independence of the Republic was recognized, 
and the new country invited to trade, on equal terms, 
with the power which had ruled over her for cen- 
turies. 

Thus ended the War of the Revolution, and Yirginia 
may well be proud of her part in the struggle. On her 
soil independence first began, and on her soil the last 
great battle was fought. Her sons were always fore- 
most in the field and the council-chamber. The voice 
of Patrick Henry was the first which sounded the cry of 
liberty; George Mason penned the Declaration of Rights, 
and Thomas Jefferson the Declaration of Independence; 
and George Washington, pre-eminent in all of those quali- 
ties which constitute a man and a soldier, kept alive 
the courage of his countrymen in the darkest hour and 
led the American army to final triumph. Nor does the 
list of Virginia's heroes end here. There are Mercer. 
Morgan, Stevens, and Clarke, amongst her soldiers, and 
Lee, Randolph, Eland, Pendleton, and Wythe, amongst 
her statesmen, whose names should be cherished so 
long as Yirginia has an existence. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 227 



Questions for Examination. 

1. What Is the date of these events? 

2. What was the next step of Lord Cornwallis? 

3. Where were the Legislature and Mr. Jefferson? 

4. Where was Baron Steuben ? 

5. What did Cornwallis propose to do? 

6. What part of the plan was ^iven to Simcoe, and how did ho 

accomplish his oltject? 

7. What work was assigned to Tarleton ? 

8. What caused the failure of his object? 

9. Relate the story of his raid up >n Charlottesville. 
JO. How did the Legislature esc^ipc? 

II. The command of what enterprise lid McLeod undertake? 

13. Was he successful? 

i:*. How did Tarleton behave nnder disappointment? 

14. Give an account of Cornw.illis's reign of terror. 

15. Who was waiting to oppose him? 

16. What piece of military strategy did La Fayette accomplish? 

17. Wliat happened to change Cornwallis's plans? 
1H„ What course did he ])ursue? 

10. Describe the retreat of his army io York^own. 

20. What did Washington do wlien he heard tlie news? 

21. What was the situation of tlie two armies ? 
2a. Wiiat was Cornwallis's only hope? 

23. Wliat did General Nelson do? 

24. Tell of Cornwall is's attempt to escape. 

25. AVhat prop isais did Cornwallis make, and how were they 

received? 

26. Describe the manner in which the allied armies were drawn 

up at tlie time of surrender. 

27. Give an account of the surrender. 

28. What was the importance of liiis surrender? 

2». What part had Virginia taken in the Revolution? 

30. Give the names of some of her Revolutionary soldiers and 
statesxueu. 



CHAPTEK XXYIII. 
1781-1800. 



It is pleasant to turn aside for a moment from the 
turmoil of war and the difficulties which beset the ship 
of state, now being launched upon the waters of time, 
to narrate g, simple story of a man whose name deserves 
a higher place than it at present occupies in history. 
There has been a great deal written about the invention 
of the 3team-engine ; you are all so accustomed to see 
it in common use, that but few of vou vefilize how won- 



228 HISTORY or Virginia. 

derful was the genius which first conceived the idea of 
using steam as a locomotive power There are records 
as far back as the year 1543 of the concej^tion of some 
such idea, but no one had ever been able to put it in 
execution. This is the introduction to my story. 

James Rumsey was a native of Maryland, and had 
his residence at Bath, Morgan county, Virginia, and 
afterwards in Shepherdstown. He was employed 
by the Potomac Company to improve the navigation 
of the Potomac river, and here his attention became 
directed to different modes of propelling vessels, and 
particularly to utilizing steam for this purpose. lie 
was a simple man, but one of considerable inventive 
powers and great earnestness of purpose. In spite of 
the ridicule of his ignorant neighbors, who dubbed him 
"Crazy Rumsey," he built a boat on the banks of the 
Potomac, and succeeded in launching it upon the waters 
of that river, propelling it b}'' steam against the current 
at the rate of four or five miles an hour. This seems 
very slow to us, because we travel so much more rapidly 
now, but it was considered wonderful speed by the 
people of the country, who called it "the flying boat." 
It was about fifty feet long, and the Avhole machinery 
did not occupy more than six feet square. The boiler 
held about five gallons of water, only a pint of which was 
required at a time ; and it used from four to six bushels 
of coal in twelve hours. Rumsey was working at his 
idea nearly four ^^ears before he developed it ; and tliere 
is a i:>ath along the banks of the Potomac, near Shep- 
herdstown, which was called Rumsey's AYalk, because 
here the poor fellow walked up and down, day after 
day, meditating upon his project. 

At length the "flying boat" was ready for its trial 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 229 

trip, and amongst other distinguished persons who were 
on board, upon this its first voyage, was General Wash- 
ington himself, who was convinced of the utility of the 
idea, and gave his certificate to that efi'ect. 

Thus encouraged, Eums y resolved to go to England 
for the purposv. oi obtaining skilful workmen, and such 
machinery, for the carrying out of his plans, as he could 
not obtain in this country. But here the difiiculty 
beset him which so often lies in the way of great pro- 
jects — want of money; and he was obliged to abandon 
his main scheme, and turn his attention to something 
else until he could raise the means to resume it; he 
had even to sacrifice a large interest in his invention in 
order to escape a London prison ; but still he struggled 
on, and at length completed a boat of about one hundred 
tons burden, and named a day for its public exhibition, and 
an evening before this appointment to be devoted to an 
exposition of his project, in order to solicit help from the 
public. The evening arrived, and, to poor Rumsey's 
astonishment, the hall was filled, to overflowing, with 
the learning, fashion, and beauty of Liverpool. He was 
perfectly overwhelmed at the sudden prospect, which 
presented itself, for the fulfilment of his dearest hopes. 
When ho arose to begin his lecture, he was so overcome 
that he could not control his feelings. A gentleman 
near, observing his agitation, handed him a glass of 
water. He thanked him incoherently, sank into his chair, 
and never spoke again. He died two days after, leaving 
his project to be completed by others ; and, nearly 
twenty years after, Fulton succeeded in improving upon 
his idea, and is recognized as the great master of steam 
navigation, while poor Rumsey fills an unhonored grave, 
though no hictory of Virginia should neglect to record 
his name upcn its pages. 



230 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Kow that the sword was laid aside, you may think 
that this new country had nothing to do but to grow 
rich without being subject to English taxation, and to 
enjoy the independence she had so hardly won; but you 
are greatly mistaken. The people had succeeded, it is 
true, in throwing off an oppressive yoke, and in this 
ihey rejoiced ; but an arduous task lay before them: the 
country had now to take her place in the family of nations, 
and to prepare herself to support that position with 
honor. The experience which her rulers had enjoyed of a 
monarchical form of government, which you know is one 
in which the King is the chief ruler, had not satisfied 
them ; and they determined to make an experiment which 
had never yet been quite successful in the history of the 
world, namely, to have a government in which all of 
the officers were elected by the people, and no office 
held for life ; so that if the chief ruler did not prove a 
good one, his government could not be a lasting evil, 
for in a short time another election would take place, 
and another man fill the position. It was also deter- 
mined that each State should have a government of its 
own, consisting of a Governor and Judiciary Legislature, 
which would render it entirely independent of the others ; 
but that there should be a General Government, in which 
all should unite^ over which should be placed a President 
and Congress, and that matters should be so arranged 
that the one would not interfere with the other. There 
were at that time thirteen different States : there are 
now a great many more ; but it was agreed that each 
new State, which was formed, should join the Union 
subject to the same regulations. 

And now the subject which engaged the attention of 
all was how these two Governments should be consti- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



231 



tuted, so that the one would not interfere with the other ; 
and this was an undertaking full of difficulty. The 
States had adopted their own forms of government, and 
they were not prepared to surrender the power entirely 
into the hands of the United States. General Washing- 




MOUNT VKRNOV. 

ton, when peace was fully established, had taken a final 
leave of the officers and soldiers of the army which had so 
long acknowledged him as their leader ; and at a meeting 
of Congress, had surrendered his commission as Com- 
mander-in-chief. After this he retired to Mount Yernon 



232 HISTORY OF VIKGINTA. 

and engaged in domestic pursuits, but never for an in- 
stant did he lose sight of what he considered the best in- 
terests of the United States, and he keenly shared in the 
anxiety for the adoption of such a Constitution as 
would promote this object. 

Tears passed away before the matter was definitely 
settled. In May, 1787, a Convention met at Philadel- 
phia, when a Constitution or Code of Laws was pre- 
pared, which was presented to each of the different 
States for their discussion in convention. In Yirginia 
this produced the greatest excitement. Nothing was 
talked of but the new Constitution, and the election of 
members to the Convention which met at Eichmond on 
the 2d of June of the following year, 1788. Never be- 
fore or since, in the history of the State, was there such 
an array of talent and patriotism as met on that occa- 
sion. Of course Patrick Henry was there, and Pendle- 
ton, and "Wythe, Lee and Handolph, Madison and 
Marshall, and many others, all of whom came to the 
Convention with the love of their State as the ruling 
passion of their hearts, but differing widely as to the 
best means of securing her good. Patrick Henry op- 
posed the new Constitution with all the power of his 
great eloquence ; he thought that Yirginia ought not to 
give the General Government so much power over her. 
Mr. Madison and Mr. Eandolph and others opposed 
him. They thought that Yirginia did not give away 
any power necessary to the existence of her State Gov- 
ernment, and she would be strengthened and elevated 
by a Federal Union with her sister States. The result 
of many stormy discussions was the adoj)tion of the 
Constitution by a majority of only ten votes, and by 
this Yirginia became a member of the Union of States. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



233 



Heretofore we have closely kept in view our plan of 
presenting Virginia alone to your view, but now, when 
she becomes united with the other States, through the 
Constitution which she and they had adopted, it be- 
comes more difficult to give her a separate position, and 
for the seventy years which remain for our consider- 
ation there are but few events which mark her history 
with any distinctness. 

The year after the 
adoption of the Constitu- 
tion, George Washington 
was elected to fill the 
office of President of the 
United States. He had 
been a great advocate 
for the Union, and a 
member of the Conven- 
tion which met at Phila-^^^ 
delphia to frame the 
Constitution, but it was 
with the greatest reluc- 
tance that he accepted 
the post of Chief Magistrate of the new country. 
He was growing old, and was wearied with the 
life of toil, which he had led, and only desired to 
spend the evening of his days in the quiet of his homo 
at Mount Yernon; but he could not decline the call from 
the country of which he was the father, and so became 
the first President of the United States, and Patrick 
Henry was elected Governor of Virginia. One of the 
first acts of the new government was the admission of 
a new State to the Union. This was Kentucky, a 
young daughter of whom Virginia was justly proud. 




GEORaS WASHINGTON. 



234 HISTORY OF Virginia. 

Twenty j^ears before the period at which we have now 
arrived, the whole of this beautiful land had been in 
possession of the Indians ; but like the rest of the 
country, it fell into possession of the white man. It 
w^ould be very pleasant to me, and interesting to you, 
could I pause to tell 3'-ou of how Daniel Boone entered 
this wild country, which, frc ni the many terrible battles 
w^hich were fought there, was known as the " dark 
and bloody ground," and how, after a terrible struggle, 
it was rescued from the savages ; but we can only tell 
the story in a brief sentence. As years passed away, the 
fertility of her soil and the healthfulness of her climate 
invited settlers within her boundaries, and she was soon 
known as " the Garden of the West," and each year 
marked her progress in strength and vigor, until she 
was ready to take her place with her sisters as a State 
of the Union, which she did with honor and credit, in 
the year 1792. 

About this time arose two great political parties in 
the country, who were known by the titles of " Federal- 
ist " and " Eepublican." The Federalists were those 
who approved of the General Government, and thought 
it ought to be strong enough to keep under its power 
all of the State Governments. The Republicans, on the 
contrary, looked with great jealousy and distrust upon 
the power already granted to the General Government 
by the new Constitution ; and zealously contended for 
the right of the different States to govern themselves ; 
this last party was the strongest in Yirginia. 

In our day, when the youngest of you have some idea 
of the bitterness of feeling which arises from a differ- 
ence of opinion in politics, we can well understand the 
extent to which party-spirit was carried upon these all- 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 235 

important subjects. The tongue and the pen were kept 
busy; and if we could have heard the speeches and read 
the opinions expressed on the different sides of the 
question, we would understand how curiously honest 
patriotic statesmen, with the good of their country 
equally at heart, can differ about the means of attain- 
ing that good, and hate each other bitterly for the dif- 
ference of opinion. I have said that the E-epublican 
party was the strongest in Virginia, and for this reason 
the Legislature of the State adopted every means to 
strengthen the State government, by increasing her 
means of defence. Laws were passed for arming the 
militia, and an armory was built at Itichmond large 
enough to store away ten thousand stand of arms ; two 
hundred and twelve pieces of cannon were mounted 
around the yard, besides six beautiful brass siege-pieces 
and two mortars. These last were supposed to have 
been brought over in a French vessel during the siege 
of Yorktown, and presented, after the fall of Cornwallis, 
to the Commonwealth of Yirginia. 

This same year (1798) events occurred which made 
the opposition between the two great political parties 
of the country more bitter than ever. Some laws were 
passed by the United States styled the " Alien and Sedi- 
tion Laws." The first named gave the President the 
power to send any foreigner out of the country whom he 
regarded as dangerous to the peace of the United States; 
and if he remained in the country after the order to 
leave had been issued, he was to be imprisoned for a 
term not exceeding three years. 

The " Sedition Law " empowered the Government to 
seize any one who should write, speak or publish any- 
thing false, scandalous or malicious against the G-overn- 



236 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

ment, Congress, or President of the United States and 
fine or imprison them. 

When it became known that these two laws had been 
passed, it roused the greatest excitement all through 
the country. The Federalists contended that it was all 
right, and necessary that the General Government 
should thus act ; and the Bepublicans said that it placed 
too much power in the hands of the President and Con- 
gi-ess, and was sure to lead to tyranny, by bringing 
under punishment many who were only suspected, and 
ought to be tried before condemnation, and besides, it 
restricted the "liberty of the press," by forbidding the 
publication of opinions, whatever they might be. 

In Virginia the feelings of two parties were particularly 
bitter, and the discussions in the Legislature were stormy 
enough, and a great deal of talent and eloquence was 
arrayed on both sides. Patrick Henry, although he 
had opposed the adoption of the Constitution, yet after 
Virginia had agreed to bind herself to the Union, 
thought her best interest lay in doing everything to 
strengthen the tie. Mr. Madison drew up some reso- 
lutions, which have ever since been celebrated as the 
" Eesolutions of '98." These, full of patriotism both to 
the United States Government and to the State, declare 
the intention of Virginia to maintain and defend the 
Constitution of the United States against all opposition, 
but at the same time avow her intention to oppose 
anything which went beyond this Constitution and en- 
dangered the liberty of individuals and of the States, 
which were sovereignties independent of the General 
Government, and particularly to guard the liberty of the 
press and of conscience. The Alien and Sedition Laws 
were declared to be aimed against such rights, and 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 237 

therefore were opposed. Even before this action by 
Virginia, Kentucky passed resolutions which were 
written by Thomas Jefferson, and which were even 
stronger than those which were passed by Virginia. 
But these were the only two States that took open 
ground against the Federal Government. 

Patrick Henry, though a very old and feeble man, 
allowed himself to be brought before the people 
of Charlotte county as a candidate for the Yir- 
ginia Senate, in order that he might once again raise 
his voice for what he considered the best interests 
of his beloved State. Before his election, a day was ap- 
pointed for him to make a speech to the people of Char 
lotte Courthouse, in order that he might tell them what 
course he intended to pursue should they elect him to the 
Legislature of Virginia, iie mounted the stand fixed for 
him, and the tears gathered in many eyes as they saw 
the sad change wrought by years and ill-health upon 
his honored form. But soon his eye lighted up, and 
his voice gave forth such eloquent words as none had 
ever heard from him before. He said he had opposed 
the adoption of the Constitution, and the Alien and 
Sedition JUaws were but the fruits he expected ; but it 
was too late for Virginia to set herself against the 
Government. Then clasping his hands, and waving his 
body backward and forward, he said : " If wo aro 
wrong, ilet us all go wrong together." The crowd was 
BO excited that the entire mass of people waved^Yith. him, 
and as he icll exhausted into the arms of the crowd, 
a friend exclaimed, "The sun has set in all his glory! " 

The appiause over Patrick Henry's speech was still 
tit its height when a youthful figure, of ungainly and 
unprepossessing appearance, stepped forward, and took 



238 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



hir; place upon tho stand "wliicli the great orator had 
just left. Every one looked in amazement as they re- 




PATRIQK HENRY AND JOHN BANDOLPH AT THE HUSTINGS. 

cognized John Eandolph, who had grown up in the 
county, and now presented himself as a candidate for 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 239 

the Congress of the United States. Many laughed at 
the temerity of the daring youth who thus made his 
appearance after Mr. Henry, and one old man said 
*'Tut! tut! it won't do. It's nothino; but the beatin^: 
of an old tin-pan after hearing a fine church-organ." 
But they soon found that the tin-pan sounded notes 
which claimed their attention. Patrick Henry's sun 
had set, but here was another rising, the token of a 
bright day. John Randolph became the most cele- 
brated orator, after Patrick Henry, in the history of 
the State. 

Both candidates were elected, Mr. Henry to the 
Virginia Legislature, and Mr. Randolph to Congress; 
but the first did not live to take his seat, as he died on 
the Gth of June, 1799, mourned by all, for the propriety 
and dignity of his character, as the great orator, the 
friend of liberty, and the true Christian. 

The last year of this century, which had been so 
eventful to America, also saw the fall of the most dis- 
tinguished of all the sons of Virginia. On the 14th 
day of December, at Mount Yernon, died George Wash- 
ington. This event plunged the whole country in mourn- 
ing. Upon hearing the sad news. Congress adjourned, 
after resolving that all of the members should wear 
crape during the session, and that a committee be ap- 
pointed to consider the best means of honoring the man 
"first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen." Every State of the Union hastened to 
take steps to testify its grief at this public bereavement. 
Nor was the recognition of the sad event confined to 
America. When the news reached Europe, Bonaparte, 
First Consul of France, issued an order that black crapo 
should be suspended from all of the standards and flags 



240 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



in the army of France, for ten days, and even the Eng- 
lish Government honored the man who had fought 
against her ; sixty ships lying at Torbay lowered their 
flags to half-mast at the reception of the news ; and for 
a time, throughout America, passion was calmed and 



^^As^>^ 




TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 



party spirit extinguished, while all mourned Washington 
as the "Father of his Country." 



Questions for Examination. 



1. The history of what years is lnclncl*»(l in this chapter 7 

2. ForwliJit purpose does our history turn aside from the diffl- 

culties which beset Virginia ? 

3. Whut about the invention oi the steam, engine? 

4. Wiio was Jtiimt s Uumaey? 

5. What fiist turned his tlioughts to making use of steam ? 

6. How w;is his idea looked uijou? 

7. Whatsncctss did he meetAvith? 

8. Tell of the launching and trial trip of the flying boat. 

9. Tell of Kumsey's trip ti> England, 

10. What diflficuties did he enconnterT 

11. What id the end of his story ? 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 241 



12. What was the condition of Virginia ? 

i:i. What duties lay before her? 

14. Wliat Icind of government was determined upon ? 

15. Wiiat was the General Government? 

16. What the Ptite Government? 

17. What lincl Washinjiton done when peace was declared? 

18. When and wh«-rd did the couveutiou meet, and what did it 

accomplish ? 

19. What was the effect of these events upon Virginia ? 

20. Wlien and where did iier Conveulion meet, and wliat great 

men were there? 

21. What ditTerences of opinion existed among these patriots? 

22. What was the result of these discussions? 

23. How has Virginia lieretofore been presented to you, and what 

change now becomes necessary ? 

24. Who was the first President of the United States, and how 

did he regard the honor? 

25. Who was elected Governor of Virginia " 

26. What of Kentuclcy? 

27. When was she admitted as a State? 

2S, Who were the Federalists and the Republicans? 

29. What is said of the political feeling? 

SO. What laws were passed in 1798? 

31. What was tlie Alien Law ? 

32. What was the Sedition Law? 

S:J. What WHS their effect upon the different States? 

31. How did Virginia receive them ? 

35. What position did Patriclc Henry occupy ? 

36. Who drew up the " Resolutions of "J8 ?" 

37. What did they declare? 
SH. What had Kentucky done? 

39. For what position did Patrick Henry become a candidate? 

40. Tell of Ills last appearance before llie people. 

41. How did he close his his speech, and with wliat effect? 

42. Who occupied the stand after Patrick Henry? 

43. Who was he, and how Avas he received? 

44. What reputation did he afterwards gain ? 

45. What success did the two candidates meet with? 

46. Where and when did Patrick Henry die? 

47. What sad event happened near the close of this same yearT 

48. What was the effect upon the whole country? 

49. How was the event recognized in Europe? 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

1800-1813. 



The mourning for George Washington and Patrick 

Henry, in Virginia, soon received a diversion by the 

revival of party spirit. This had its immediate cause 

in the enforcement of one of those very laws which she 

11 



242 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

had so opposed, and which, with her own concurrence, 
was carried into effect on her very soil. 

One James Thompson Callender, a foreigner, who had 
his home in Virginia, published a pamphlet called " The 
Prospect Before Us," in which he took occasion, in the 
most outrageous manner, to load with coarse profligate 
abuse and false accusations, not only Mr. Adams, the 
President of the United States, but even the lamented 
Washington. So infamous was this -paij^er that public 
indignation was aroused. Judge Chase, who had been 
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and 
now one of the judges of the Supreme Court, read the 
pamphlet, and declared his intention of taking it with 
him to Yirginia — where he was soon to hold a Circuit 
Court — and that if a jury of honest men could be found 
in the Commonwealth, he would punish Callender. lie 
did so; and presenting the pamphlet to the grand jury, 
insisted upon the arrest of Callender as a " seditious 
libeller." It was done ; and very much frightened at 
"the prospect before" him, Callender was brought 
before the court. Three celebrated Virginia lawyers 
undertook his defence. They were Mr. Wirt, Mr. Hay, 
and Mr. Philip Korborne Nicholas. Judge Chase, in 
his anxiety to enforce the law, showed a little too much 
ardor, as he refused to grant the counsel of Callender 
a longer time to summon witnesses, and in the end so 
offended the three gentlemen that they left the court. 
Callender was condemned ; and so great was the disgust 
of all parties, for his pamphlet, that although the pro- 
ceeding was contrary to the ideas entertained by Vir- 
ginians, of the liberty of opinion which should be 
allowed to all, no one was sorry that he suffered fine 
and imprisonment. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 243 

In this samo year the State of Yirginia was startled 
by the discovery of an intended insurrection of slaves. 
You remember, very early in the history of the State, 
a Dutch vessel which brought to the young colony a 
cargo of Africans, who were used as slaves. This 
proved to be the beginning of a train of evils for the 
State. For many years English ships continued the 
practice thus introduced, until the different States 
abounded with them. During the Bevolutionary War, 
Virginia made a law that no more Africans should be 
brought into the State; but still she was obliged to 
care for those Y>^hich were already there. G-enerally 
speaking, the negroes proved a harmless and affec- 
tionate race, easily governed, and happy in their con- 
dition ; and history records but two attempted insur- 
rections in Virginia during the existence of the institu- 
tion. The first happened, as I have said, in the first 
year of the new century, in the neighborhood of Rich- 
mond. 

It was headed by a man named Gabriel, and about one 
thousand negroes were concerned in it. So well was 
their secret kept, that not a suspicion of it existed until 
the very night appointed for the execution of the plot. 
It was then divulged by a slave named Pharaoh, whose 
heart failed him at the last moment, and making his 
escape, he presented himself before the authorities at 
Piichmond and disclosed the whole plot. Steps were 
instantly taken to defeat it ; and it was found that an 
organized plan had been laid to surprise Eichmond, ex- 
terminate the male inhabitants, and take the women 
for wives for themselves. The conspirators were con- 
victed and condemned to meet the fate they so justly 
deserved. 



244 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

Though it does not properly belong to this period, as 
it happened thirty years after, I will tell you, in con- 
nection with this incident, of the only other insurrec- 
tion which soils the fair page of the history of Yirginia. 
It was headed by a negro named Nat Turner, a religious 
fanatic and a preacher; he also claimed to be a prophet, 
and by the interpretation of some signs, obtained a 
great influence among the ignorant, superstitious 
negroes. By this means he succeeded in inducing num- 
bers to join him in his plot. On the 21st of August, 
1831, accompanied by twenty of his followers, he en- 
tered the house of his master, one Mr. Travis, in South- 
ampton county, during the night, and murdered the 
entire family before they were sufficiently awake to 
offer defence. lie next went to the house of a Mr. 
Waller, and left his wife and ten children a bleeding 
heap on the floor. Near by this last named place there 
was a school of little girls, all of whom were butchered 
in cold blood excej)t one who made her escape and was 
found by her friends hidden in a hedge. In giving an 
account of the horrors through which she had passed, 
the little thing said, "but God watched over me." 

For one entire day did these wretches revel in blood ; 
but fortunately, their courage was not proof against 
resistance, and this they encountered at the house of 
Dr. Blount, where that gentleman, his son, a j^outh of 
fifteen, and three white neighbors were on the lookout 
for them, and when they came within twenty yards of 
the house, opened fire upon them from the windows. 
One of the negroes fell dead, a second was wounded, 
and the rest betook themselves to flio-ht. From this 
time the warfare was at an end. The whites turned 
OLit and hunted the murderers down through the 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 245 

swamps. The first who were captured "were killed on 
the spot, but when the first heat of passion had cooled, 
justice resumed her swa}', and they were taken to the 
county town of Southampton and tried for their crimes. 
It was some weeks before JSTat Turner was found, but 
at length he Avas discovered under a pile of fence rails, 
and being brought to trial, met the punishment he de- 
served. 

I w411 now tell you of a circumstance which occurred 
in the city of Richmond in the year 1811, that spread 
the mantle of sorrow over the whole State of Virginia. 
The prosperity of the State, after the Bevolutionary 
War, wassteadily progressive, her wealth and population 
had greatly increased. Richmond, you will remember, 
at the time it was chosen as the capital of the Com- 
monwealth, was but a village ; it had now spread its 
bounds over the neighboring hills, and Avas the centre 
of wealth, fashion and gaiety. During the memorable 
winter of this year, the young, the gay, and the beau- 
tiful had flocked to the city; brilliant entertainments 
followed each other in rapid succession, night after 
night crowds gathered at the theatre, where the best 
actors in the country were j)erforming. On the even- 
ing of the 26th of December, an immense crowd as- 
sembled to Avitness a favorite play, in which the prin- 
cipal character was sustained by a very celebrated 
actor. While every eye Avas fixed upon the perform- 
ers, and the interest Avas at its height, sparks of fire 
Avcre seen to fall from the scenery at the back of the 
stage, and at the same moment one of the actors 
rushed forAvard, and throAviiig up his hands excitedly, 
exclaimed, "Th^; liouse is on fire! the house is on 
lire 1 " Instantly the cry of horror Avas repeated 



246 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

througli the building in various accents of terror and 
despair, and a scene of confusion followed which lan- 
guage is inadequate to describe. The crowd trod upon 
each other in their efforts to reach the doors, which 
they found tightly closed, as they unfortunately opened 
on the inside of the room, and the pressure against them 
only kept them more tightly barred. Behind, the 
flames gained ground, and the suffocating smoke spread 
over the doomed mass of human beings like a pall. 
Strong men, frantic with fear, passed over the heads of 
the dense crowd in their efforts to reach the doors ; 
the groans of the crushed and dying mingled with the 
labored respiration of those who were smothered by the 
smoke ; many threw themselves from the upper windows, 
exchanging one violent death for another. 

In the midst of the scene, touching instances are nar- 
rated v/here love triumphed over the fear of death. 
Parents rushed back into the flames to rescue their 
children, and perished in the attempt ; and children re- 
fused to be saved at the expense of a parent's life. Hus- 
bands and wives chose death together rather than sepa- 
ration. An old lady, still living, tells with the elo- 
quence of an eye-witness of her own rescue by one who 
afterwards became her husband. With admirable pres- 
ence of mind, he bore her to an upper window, and 
fastening his foot in some way in the shutter, let her 
down as far as his arms could reach, and dropped her into 
those of the watching crowd below. When her safety 
was assured, he saved himself by climbing down one of 
the pillars. Seventy persons lost their lives on this 
eventful night, and this number comprised the wealth, 
the fashion, and the talent of the metropolis. The 
Governor of the State was amongst the lost, besides 



HISTORY OF YIEGINIA. 



247 



many distinginslied and valuable citizens. Richmond 
Avas shrouded in mourning ; there was scarcely a 
family in which there was not one dead. When the 




news of the calamity reached Washington, it was re- 
solved, in both Houses of Congress, that the members 
should wear crape on the left arm for a month. Tho 
Monumental Church now covers the site of the old 



248 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

theatre, and at the door is a monument bearing upon it 
as an inscription the names of many of those who per- 
ished in this disaster. 

The year following this sad event, dissatisfaction arose 
between the United States and the British Government, 
the cause of which belongs so entirely to the history of 
the United States that it need not be detailed here. A 
war was commenced between the two powers which 
is known as "the War of 1812." The scene of the con- 
flict was, for the most part, far removed from Virginia, 
but her borders were not to escape invasion entirely. 
An infamous Admiral of the Eritish navy, named Cock- 
burn, in the month of May of tnis year entered Chesa- 
peake Bay, and committed the most shocking depreda- 
tions along the coasts of Maryland and "Virginia. He 
had under his command a large fleet of ships, and about 
twenty-six hundred men. A heavy fight took place 
near Norfolk between this fleet and the American 
gunboats. The battle was fought at Craney Island, 
which stands at the entrance of x^orfolk harbor, and the 
Americans defended the position so bravely that 
the enemy were forced to abandon their designs 
on [N'orfolk. In rage and shame at their unexpec- 
ted defeat, they turned their attention to Hampton, 
a comparatively unimportant post, and which was 
only defended by a few men under Colonel Crutch- 
field. These kept back the enemy with determined 
bravery for a time, but were at last obliged to re- 
tire before overwhelming numbers. The British 
entered Hampton and committed every species of out- 
rage. One aged man was brutally murdered in the 
presence of his wife, who herself was desperately 
wounded. The infamous Cockburn refused to j)rotectthe 



HISTORY OF VIEGINIA. 249 

defenceless women who remained in the town from the 
negroes who followed in his train, answering one who 
applied to him for protection, that he "took it for 
granted that all the ladies had left" before his arrival. 
Happily their stay was of short duration, as the militia 
gathered in such numbers that Cockburn retired to his 
ships. The war lasted three years, and ended trium- 
phantly for the United States, but this was the only 
occasion upon which Yirginia suffered invasion. 



Questions for Examination. 

1. The events of what years are Included in this chapter? 

2. What was the next cause of public excitement in Virginia? 

3. What was C.'al lender's crime? 

4. Wlio was Jud<.';e Chase, and what did he declare? 

5. What steps were taken a<jjainst Callender? 

6. What l^wjers defended liim? 

7. Wnat difficulty urose between the lawyers and judge? 

8. How did it en.l? 

9. Give a bh >rt a •count of the history of slavery in Virginia. 
lO. Give an acconi.t of the Gabriel insurrection, 

JI. Give an aoeouut. tjf the ^^at Turner insurrection. 

12. Wliat wa-j tlie con iition of ttie city of Richmond in 18117 

l:j. Describe the buniiiig of tlie theatre. 

14. Wliat effect <li<i tliis eveut have through the country? 

1.1. What did Congress do ? 

1<». What happened tlie next year? 

17. Was the principal scene of conflict in Virginia? 

IH. Where was she invaded, and by who;a? 

19. Give an account of the battle of Cranev Island. 

20. Give an account of the occupation of Hampton. 
SI. How long did this war last, and who was victorious? 



CHAPTER XXX. 
1818-1859. 



And now follows a series of years undisturbed by the 
horrors of war, and in this peaceful interval Yirginia 
11* 



250 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



had time to give her attention to matters of essential 
importance to her permanent peace and prosperity. Of 
the first five Presidents of the United States, four were 
from Virginia. G-eneral Washington held tlie ofilce 
eight years and dechned re-election. lie was followed 
by John Adams, of Massachusetts, who served on© 
term; next came Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, who 
seiwed eight 3'ears; next Mr. Madison, also eight years, 
and then Mr. Monroe, also from Virginia, for eight years. 

At the close of Mr. 
Jefi'erson's second term 
of office he retired to his 
beautiful home at Monti- 
cello, in Albemarle county, 
where he devoted the re- 
mainder of his life to liter- 
ary and agricultural pur- 
suits. It is not to be 
supposed that one so alive 
to the welfare of his State 
as he had ever been, should 
lose sight of it even in his 
retirement to private life. 
He had always taken a 
keen interest in the cause of education, rightly con- 
cluding that in promoting the educational advancement 
of her youth, Virginia j^lanted the seeds for her surest 
and best advancement. For years past he had in- 
dulged the hope of enlarging the college at Williams- 
burg into a great university, which would aff'ord the 
same advantages as could be furnished by a European 
education. For reasons not necessary to detail, he had 
been oblm-ed to abandon his scheme in its relation to 




JEFFERSON. 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 251 

"Williamsburg, though he still cherished the idea of a 
great Virginia University. And as he cast his eye over 
the beautiful country which lay around his mountain 
home, his imagination pictured a grand institution 
growing out of the bosom of these plains. An idea 
once conceived with him, was not easily abandoned, and 
although years elapsed before he was able to accomplish 
his design, he at length induced the Legislature to ap- 
propriate a sum of money for the erection of the neces- 
sary buildings. About two miles from Charlottesville, 
in the county of Albemarle, there was already an insti- 
tution incorporated, called Central College. This was 
purchased by the State of Virginia, and Mr. Jefferson 
had the gratification of seeing the good work really 
commenced in earnest under his own superintendence. 
Six years passed away before the work was sufficiently 
advanced for the commencement of college exercises. 
It has ever since been a favorite resort for the youth 
of the South. 

Mr. Jefferson did not live to witness the established 
success of the University of Virginia, as his death 
occurred in 1826, only one year after it went into 
operation. 

In 1776 the young State of Virginia had formed 
for its government a Constitution, which had been 
on the whole satisfactory. But still there were 
changes required, and the patriots of the State 
never ceased talking of such a change in it as would 
meet the wishes of all and secure harmony and 
good will for the future. The country was now 
quiet and prosperous, and there was more time to 



252 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

think of matters of this nature. The vote of the 
people was taken, and members appointed to a Con- 
vention which met in the Capitol at Kichmond, 
October 5th, 1829. Yery few of the great statesmen, with 
whom we have been acquainted in the past, were there. 
The voice of Patrick Henry and the pen of Mr. Jefferson 
and the sword of George "Washington were buried with 
them in their graves, but their patriotic spirits still 
lived in many who had succeeded them. Mr. Madison, 
Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Marshall were still alive and pres- 
ent, to tell the younger men of the " Spirit of '76 " and 
of '98, and to hold up the "Bill of Eights" and the "Ees- 
olutions of '98"; and do you remember John Handolph, 
whose sun rose just as that of Mr. Henry set in 1799? 
"Well, he was there too ; and many others, whose names, 
which you will be proud to know as you grow older, 
swelled the list of the members of this Convention ; and 
after a discussion which lasted three months, the 
changed and improved Constitution was adopted and 
the Convention adjourned. 

As years went on, the question of slavery was a con- 
stant source of trouble between the different States of 
the Union. "Wo have seen how it was introduced. In 
the early history of the country all of the States held 
slaves; but the Africans did not flourish in a cold 
climate. Their native country is very hot, and they 
could not live amid the harsh breezes of the North; 
BO gradually they were sent South to the cotton and 
tobacco fields, and laws were made abolishing the insti- 
tution in the Northern States, while the Southern 
States still retained it. Now this difference in political 
institutions between States held together by one Gen- 
eral Government, proved a great misfortune. The 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 253 

Northern States, cleansed from what they now con- 
sidered a great crime, looked with horror upon their 
Southern sisters who dared to hold their fellow-crea- 
tures in bondage ; while the Southern people, having a 
large part of their property invested in this way, and 
deeming the negro necessary to the cultivation of 
their crops, contended for their rights under the Con- 
stitution to keep their slaves. 

The feeling upon this subject grew in bitterness, 
many individuals at the North regarding it as a re- 
ligious duty to purge the Union from this great evil, 
and the South holding to it more obstinately from this 
interference with their legal rights. The question was 
continually discussed in Congress ; abolitionists came 
South and enticed the slaves from their masters ; books 
were written, giving false or exaggerated pictures of 
the condition of the slave in the South, representing 
the masters as cruel tyrants. And thus a bitter ani- 
mosity grew up between the two sections. Visitors from 
the North were looked upon with suspicion ; books 
from the North were banished from Southern territory; 
Southern Legislatures made laws forbidding the master 
to teach his slave to read, because of these dangerous 
books which they would be supplied with. Travellers 
going North dared not take their servants with them, 
for fear of being subjected to trouble and loss. 

Virginia, occupying a middle position between these 
opposing sections, was influenced by contact Avith both. 
Slavery had been entailed upon her almost against her 
will ; and we have seen how she paused, even in the 
midst of the bloody scenes of the Hevolution, to make 
laws that no more slaves should be brought within her 
boundaries. From that time the question of freeing 



254 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



them was constantly discussed in her Legislature, and 
a large number of her statesmen advocated it. It 
became a common occurrence for slave-holders, at their 
death, to leave their slaves free and provided for. 
John Randolph of Roanoke did this, and appropriated 
a large portion of his property for their support: thus 
the gradual banishment of slavery was looked upon as 
a certainty. Owing to this condition of affairs, slavery 
ceased to be regarded in the State as a matter of profit ; 
the buying and selling of slaves w^as at least rare. 
Slave-dealers were looked upon with disgust. Families 
Df negroes were retained in the same household for 
generations, passing down from father to son, until the 
affectionate connexion between the Yirginia master and 
his servant, who had shared his boyish sports, and now 
performed the duties of a mild servitude, became 
proverbial. 

We have seen from this history, both in her contests 
with England and under other circumstances, that Yir- 
ginia never willingly conceded to another what she con^ 
sidered her rights ; so it happened that when she found 
that her Northern sisters were attempting to force her 
to emancipate her slaves, the spirit of the Old Dominion 
rose. She remembered her Declaration of Rights, she 
recalled her State sovereignty, and tightening her 
grasp upon her property, which she was beginning to 
hold so loosely, she declared her intention to act for 
heiself in the matter, made stricter laws with regard to 
her slave population, and joined hands with her South- 
ern sisters upon the disputed question. 

The breach now went on widening. The political 
parties of the country were no longer "Federalist" and 
"Republican," "Whig" and "Democrat," but Slavery 



HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 255 

and Anti-slavery. New States were constantly being 
made, and the question constantly discussed was 
whether slave-holders would be permitted to carry their 
property into these new States. The Constitution of 
the United States permitted this, and many Southern- 
ers insisted upon their rights ; but when they at- 
tempted it, they were beset by determined men, 
their property taken away, and many of the new 
States became the scenes of violence and blood- 
shed. One of the fiercest of the Free-soilers, as 
they were called, was John Brown, of Kansas. His 
whole life had been one of adventure, and now, in his 
old age, the idea of freeing the slave seems to have 
taken full possession of his thoughts. He seems to have 
been utterly destitute of fear, and although his life had 
been a very wicked one, on this one point I think he be- 
lieved himself right, and was perhaps not so much to blame 
as many intelligent men at the North who encouraged 
him in his violent course of conduct. Encouraged by 
these, John Brown laid a deep scheme for freeing 
the negroes, first in Yirginia, and then carrying his 
victorious arms into the other Southern States. For 
two years did he prepare for this object. Silently and 
secretly he purchased arms. Those he intended for the 
use of the negroes were simple pikes, but capable of 
doing deadly work in the hands of a skilful workman. 
He had with him only eighteen men, but he expected 
to have his numbers swelled by the slaves as soon as 
his presence was known. 

On Sunday night, the IGth of October, 1859, he 
crossed the Potomac from Maryland, and entered Har- 
per's Ferry, captured the United States Arsenal at that 
place, and sent out armed men to capture the prominent 



256 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 

slave-holders in the neighborhood, and to announce 
liberty to the negroes. So silently was all this done, 
that even the citizens of the town remained in perfect 
imiorance of the invasion until the next morninic. 
when every one who left his house was at once cap- 
tured and imprisoned in an engine-house, very near to 
the arsenal. In the meantime the armed parties re- 
turned, bringing in some gentlemen prisoners, and many 
slaves, in whose hands the pikes were placed, and they 
were ordered to " strike for freedom ; " but the poor 
creatures only looked frightened to death, and showed 
little disposition to take advantage of their opportunities, 
and John Brown found that he had nothing to hope 
from their assistance. 

Soon the news of this invasion of Virginia spread 
through the country, and the excitement surpassed any- 
thing ever known there before. The people flocked 
towards Harper's Ferry from all directions, with arms 
in their hands, and before night Brown and his party 
•were shut up in the engine-house, and surrounded by 
indignant Virginians. As soon as the news reached 
Vv^ashiugton, the Government ordered a party of marines 
to proceed to Harper's Ferry under the command of 
Colonel Eobert E. Lee, and Brown was summoned to 
surrender ; he refused, and the engine-house Avas stormed 
by the marines, and in less than thirty-six hours after ho 
had entered Virginia, John Brown and his party were 
either killed or captured, and the insurrection which he 
had taken two years to prepare, came to nothing ; not 
a negro volunteered to join him. Ten of his men 
were killed, and all the rest wounded, including Brown 
himself The first blood they shed was that of a free 
negro named Heyward, and besides, they killed five of 



IIISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 257 

their opposers and wounded nine. The criminals were 
brought to trial at Charlestown, Yirginia, and were exe- 
cuted by the laws of Yirginia; and all over the North, 
meetings of approval were held. 

Thus ended the "John Brown raid/' as it was called; 
but this was the commencement of a series of events 
which constitute a new era in the history of Yirginia, too 
new to be described with that spirit of calmness and 
impartiality which should ever characterize the his- 
torian. So here our history of the Old Commonwealth 
closes. 

I have held up before you a truthful portrait of the 
Yirginia of the past ; a mother of whom all her 
children may justly be proud. May her record in the 
future lose none of its brightness ; may she always be 
found standino- firm on the side of truth and rirjrht; and 
may her children ever live according to the example set 
them by their forefathers; and thus, by their moder- 
ation and wisdom, safely pilot the old ship of state 
through the sea of troubles which now threatens to 
overwhelm her. 



Questions for Examination. 

1. From what year to what year does this chapter inchide? 
a. What period lollowed these events in the liistory of Virginia? 
'A, >Jarae the first five Presidents of the United .-stales, tlie leugLii 
of time they served, and from wliat tstates tliey came. 

4. Wliat did Mr. Jefferson do at tlie close of liis Presidential 

term, and liow did lie employ liis advancing years? 

5. To the accompiisiimeut of what idea did he devote his 

thougiii-s? 
r>. Where did lie propose buildino: the University of Virrinin ? 

7. T«'ll of Ills diffliuiities, and how he accomplished his desiyu. 

8. VV hen did \ir. JefFerson die? 

9. WhMt next enframed the attention of the statesmen of the 

United States? 
1^. Tell of the Virginia Convention. 

II. What three great patriots do we miss at this Convention? 
r-. Who were there, and wh^t of the past did they recall? 
kA. Where have you known John KandolpU before ? 



K. ■■> '^- 
-'^ *#■ 



258 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 



14. AVhat was accomplished by the Convention. ? 

15. Wiiut lusLiLutiou now became a source of trouble 7 
Itt. Wiiat made the dilTerence of feeling on the subject ? 

17. How did the two sections regard it? 

18. What position did Virginia occupy ? 

1^>. What effect did opposition have upon her, and •why ? 

20. Wliat were the two political parties in the country now 7 

2 J. Who was John Brown, and what was his history? 

22. What scheme did he form ? 

23. Tell of his raid into Virginia. 

24. How did it end? 

2.>. What period does this mark in the history of Virginia? 

2«. With wiiat wish does the author conclude ? 



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